Psychological and social impact of childhood traumas on students of health related faculties of Suleyman Demirel University

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of childhood traumas and sociodemographic factors on loneliness, burnout and life satisfaction in undergraduate health field students. The universe of this cross-sectional analytical study consisted of 4396 undergraduate students studying in the health field faculties (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences) at Suleyman Demirel University in the 2023-2024 academic year. The sample size was calculated as 707 with the Open-Epi program assuming 50% prevalence, 95% confidence interval and 2 pattern effects. The students were stratified according to their faculties and the study was completed by reaching 707 students. The independent variables of the study are the socio-demographic characteristics of the students and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF), and the dependent variables of the study are the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8), Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data collected through face-to-face and online data collection methods were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program. In the analysis of data, number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum-maximum values, t-test in independent groups, ANOVA test, Pearson correlation test and linear regression test were used. The limit value for statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. In this study, it was found that the ULS-8 variable of the students was affected by the variables of emotional neglect, emotional abuse, the grade they were in, the mother's level of education, cynicism, efficacy and SWLS; the MBI-SS sub-factors were affected by the total score of the CTQ-SF, emotional neglect, the faculty they were in, the grade they were in, the amount of monthly personal expenses, whether they chose their department willingly or not, their satisfaction with their department score, ULS-8 and SWLS variables; the SWLS variable was affected by the variables of emotional neglect, whether they chose their department willingly or not, their satisfaction with their department score, ULS-8, exhaustion and efficacy. Childhood traumas affect many parameters in students' lives. In addition, it has been determined that some socio-demographic variables have an effect on students' perceptions of loneliness, burnout and life satisfaction. Society should be made aware of childhood traumas, and families should be educated on raising children. Psychological support and social activities that reduce students' loneliness and burnout and increase their life satisfaction should be increased.