The relationship between childhood traumas, attachment styles and sexual attitudes

This research was carried out to examine the relationship between childhood traumas, attachment styles and sexual attitudes. The study included 412 participants (220 females, 192 males) aged between 18-45, living in Istanbul Province in 2020-2021. Sociodemographic Data Form, Childhood Trauma Scale (CTS), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), Hendrick Sexual Attitude Scale-Brief Form (HSAS-BF) were used to obtain data. According to the results of the study, there is a positive correlation between HSAS-BF-communion sub-dimension scores and CTS-minimization (r=.122; p<.05) sub-dimension scores. There is a negative correlation between RSQ-preoccupied attachment scores and the HSAS-BF-instrumentality (r=-.131; p<.01) sub-dimension scores. RSQ-dismissive attachment scores were positively correlated with HSAS-BF-permissiveness (r=.180; p<.01), birth control (r=.129; p<.01), instrumentality (r=.105; p<.05) subdimension scores, and HSAS-BF-total (r=.189; p<.01) scores. RSQ-fearful attachment scores (β =-.147, t = -2.218, p<.05) and dismissive attachment scores (β =.277, t = 4.226, p<.01) predicted HSAS-BF-total scores. CTQ-minimization scores predicted HSAS-BF-communion scores (β = .180, t =3.517, p<.01). CTS-emotional abuse sub-dimension scores predicted HSAS-BF-communion scores (β=.177,t=3.462,p<.01). Sexual attitudes of the participants were examined according to demographic variables and the following results were obtained: HSAS-BF-permissiveness sub-dimension and HSAS-BF- total scores were higher in males. HSAS-BF-birth control sub-dimension scores were higher in females. Secondary/high school graduates scored lower in HSAS-BF-permissiveness subdimension. Those with an income level of 10000 TL/month and above scored higher in HSAS-BF-permissiveness subdimension compared to those with 2324 TL-5000 TL/month income level. Participants with 10000 TL and higher monthly income scored higher in HSAS-BF-communion subdimension compared to those with 2324 TL and lower monthly income. Married individuals had lower HSAS-BF-permissiveness subdimension and HSAS-BF-total scores compared to those with and without a partner. Those with a partner had higher HSAS-BF-birth control subdimension scores than those without a partner. Those who had sexual intercourse for the first time at the age of 25 or over had lower HSAS-BF-permissiveness scores compared to those who had first sexual intercourse between 18-24, or under 17 years of age. Those who had first sexual intercourse between 18-24 years of age had lower HSAS-BF-permissiveness and communion subdimension scores than those who had first sexual intercourse at the age of 17 or under. Those who had first sexual intercourse between 18-24, or 25 years of age or over had lower HSAS-BF-total scores than those who had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 17 or under.