The mediating role of attachment styles in the relationship between university students' adverse childhood experiences and mate selection strategies

The aim of this study is to examine whether there is a significant relationship between university students' adverse childhood experiences and mate selection strategies, and whether their attachment styles have a mediating role in this relationship. The study was carried out with 432 students continuing their education at public and private universities located in Istanbul. Personal information form, "Adverse Childhood Experiences", "Mate Selection Strategies Inventory" and "Three Dimension Attachment Styles Scale" were used in the study conducted in the relational screening model. SPSS 26.0, AMOS 23.0 test was used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the research, it was found that university students' secure attachment style mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and mate selection strategies of family and trust, love and raising a child. Avoidant attachment style did not mediate any dimension, ambivalent/anxious attachment style mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and mate selection strategies of socioeconomic status, political and religious similarities, physical appearance.