The predictive impact of childhood traumas and attachment style on marital satisfaction

The aim of this study is to examine the predictive effects of childhood traumatic experiences and attachment styles developed in adulthood on marital satisfaction among married individuals. The research was conducted within the framework of a quantitative approach using the relational survey model. The study population consists of married individuals residing in Osmaniye, Turkey, in 2023. The sample included 402 volunteer participants, selected through convenience and criterion sampling methods. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires. The data collection tools employed in the study were the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-28), the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), and the Marital Life Scale (MLS). In data analysis, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis were used. The findings revealed that childhood traumas significantly and negatively predicted marital satisfaction. Attachment styles, however, were not found to be significant predictors of marital satisfaction, nor did they function as mediators or moderators in the relationship between childhood traumas and marital satisfaction. Furthermore, it was observed that certain demographic variables such as educational level, occupation, perceived economic status, and type of marriage had a significant effect on marital satisfaction, whereas variables such as gender, age, duration of marriage, and number of children did not show a significant effect. The results indicate that childhood traumas have lasting effects on romantic relationships in adulthood, and that marital satisfaction is shaped not only by individual factors but also by developmental and contextual influences. In this regard, the findings contribute to the development of preventive psychological intervention programs that consider individuals' early life experiences, support the dissemination of attachment-based psychoeducational practices to enhance marital relationships, and offer guiding insights for future interdisciplinary research. Keywords: Childhood trauma, attachment styles, marital satisfaction, adult attachment, traumatic experiences