Predictive Factors of Resilience in Early Childhood Care Professionals

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Early childhood intervention professionals have higher rates of work-related stress and burnout compared to other health professionals. Furthermore, this is exacerbated by exposure to negative emotions, the stigma associated with mental health, and even the stress experienced by families due to the impact of having a child with a developmental disability. The aim of this study was to determine whether emotional intelligence and empathy were able to predict resilience in early childhood care professionals. Methods: The total sample consisted of 139 people (128 women and 11 men, with a mean age of 32.69 and SD 9.72) who were divided into two groups: high resilience (M = 35.85; SD = 3.64) and low resilience (M = 20.74; SD = 3.84). Results: The results showed significant differences between the two groups in self and others’ emotional appraisal, use and regulation of emotion, perspective taking, and personal distress, with a positive relationship between resilience and all sub-dimensions of emotional intelligence and perspective taking and a negative relationship with personal distress. In addition, a predictive model of resilience in early childhood professionals was found with empathic concern, personal distress, and use of emotion. Conclusions: This study is useful to start investigating psychological aspects related to early intervention and its professionals in order to consolidate a resilient workforce.