Childhood Experiences, Emotional Intelligence, and the Maternal Role in Postpartum Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between childhood experiences, emotional intelligence levels, and maternal roles in postpartum women.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of women aged 18–49 years living in Konya province who were within 2 months to 2 years postpartum. Data were collected using the Individual Identification Form, the Early Life Experiences Scale, Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form, and the Barkin Index of Maternal Function. The data obtained from the research were analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 25.0 program. Necessary permits were obtained before the work began. The STROBE checklist was taken into account in writing the study report.
Results: The study included 294 female participants. The mean scores of the participants were 33.20 for childhood experiences, 82.17 for emotional intelligence and 74.86 for maternal functioning, respectively. Regression analysis showed that the variables explained 12.5% of the variance.
Discussion and Conclusion: Research findings indicate a negative relationship between adverse childhood experiences and maternal functioning, and a positive relationship between emotional intelligence level and maternal functioning. These results suggest that considering women’s early-life experiences and emotional intelligence levels may be clinically important in assessing and supporting maternal functioning during the post-natal period.

Keywords: Childhood experiences; Emotional intelligence; Maternal role