The relationships between childhood traumas, emotion regulation and mindfulness

Objective: This study was aimed to examine the relationships between childhood traumas, difficulties in emotion regulation and mindfulness. The explanation of these relationships may help to clarify the concepts and may promote alternative psychotherapy interventions. Method: The sample of this study was composed of 461 individuals aged 18 and older with 315 females and 146 males. A 'Sociodemographic Data Form' (SDF), the 'Mindful Attention Awareness Scale' (MAAS), the 'Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale' (DERS), the 'Childhood Trauma Questionnaire' (CTQ) were applied. The relationships between these variables were analysed with Shapiro-Wilk Test, Mann Whitney U Test and Spearman's Rho Correlation Analysis. SPSS 21 package program was used for the analyses. Results: In this study, a negative and statistically significant correlation was found between the CTQ total score and the MAAS total score, a negative and statistically significant correlation was found between the MAAS total score and the DERS total score, a positive and statistically significant relationship was found between the CTQ total score and the DERS total score. Conclusions: As the individuals' negative and traumatic experiences in childhood increases, their difficulties in emotion regulation increases as well, where as level of mindfulness decreases. These results indicate the important of mindfulness and emotion regulation techniques in psychotherapy interventions for childhood traumas. v Keywords: difficulties in emotion regulation, mindfulness, childhood traumas, mindful attention awareness scale, childhood trauma scale.