The mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and ambivalent sexism in the relationship between childhood trauma and dating violence

In this study the relationships between dating violence, childhood trauma, ambivalent sexism and emotion dysregulation have been investigated. The sample consisted of 1222 participant aged between 18-30. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale- Brief Form (DERS-16), The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory were used in the study. The relationships between dating violence perpetration and dating violence victimization with childhood trauma, ambivalent sexism and emotion dysregulation have been investigated. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the variables of childhood trauma, ambivalent sexism and emotion dysregulation. Sexual abuse, physical neglect, hostile sexism, impulse and clarity predicted dating violence perpetration. Emotional abuse, hostile sexism, clarity and strategies predicted dating violence victimization. Then parallel multiple mediator analysis was conducted to evaluate the role of emotion dysregulation and ambivalent sexism as mediators. Results indicated that emotion dysregulation and ambivalent sexism have a mediator role in the relationship between childhood abuse and dating violence. These findings are discussed and evaluated within the scope of related literature.