The mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between childhood traumas and attitudes toward partner violence in women

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood trauma severity and attitudes toward partner violence in adult women and to explore the mediating role of coping styles in this relationship. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the relationships among these variables and analyze them with respect to different sociodemographic factors. Method: The study sample consisted of 338 women aged between 18 and 64 years (35,01±8,96). The research utilized the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33), Intimate Partner Violence Attitude Scale Revised (IPVAS-R), and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations Short Form (CISS-21). Data were analyzed using frequency analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis, regression analysis, and PROCESS mediation analysis. Results: Childhood trauma severity positively predicted attitudes toward partner violence, while they negatively influenced task-oriented coping strategies. Coping strategies, particularly emotion-oriented coping, partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma severity and attitudes toward partner violence. As childhood trauma severity increased, emotion-oriented coping behaviors were more prevalent, which heightened the risk of developing positive attitudes toward partner violence. In contrast, task-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping strategies were not found to have a mediating effect. No evidence was obtained to suggest an indirect effect of avoidance-oriented coping on the relationship between childhood trauma severity and attitudes toward partner violence. Conclusion: The findings highlight the significant impact of childhood traumatic experiences on women's adult lives, particularly on their attitudes towards partner violence in romantic relationships. Coping styles, especially emotion-oriented coping, play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards partner violence. The study underscores the critical role of emotion-oriented coping strategies in understanding the effects of childhood trauma.