Investigation of the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties and obsessive beliefs on the relationship of childhood trauma and obsessive compulsive symptoms

The aim of the current study is to investigate the mediating roles of obsessive beliefs and emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship of childhood traumas with obsessive compulsive symptoms. The sample of this study consisted of 421 participants between the ages of 18-35 who participated voluntarily from different provinces in Turkey. The data set prepared electronically was presented to the participants. Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire, Vancouver Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale were applied to the participants who first approved the Voluntary Participation Form in the created data set, in line with the objectives of the study, respectively. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient Analysis was used to examine the relationships of the variables in the study, and Parallel Multiple Mediator Analysis was used to evaluate the roles of mediating variables. As a result of the analyzes, it was found that the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties and obsessive beliefs were significant in the relationship between childhood traumas and obsessive compulsive symptoms. In addition, when the roles of mediating variables were compared, it was found that there was no significant difference between the mediating roles of emotion regulation difficulties and obsessive beliefs. The findings obtained in the study were discussed in the light of the relevant literature and the clinical implications, limitations of the study and suggestions for new studies were included. Keywords Childhood Trauma, Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Obsessive Beliefs