Examining the mediating role of perception of god and assumptions about the world in the effect of childhood traumas on psychological well-being

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of perceptions of God and assumptions about the world in the effect of childhood traumas on psychological well-being. The sample of the study, conducted using a quantitative and correlational survey model, consists of 457 adults aged 18–60 living in Turkey. Participants completed a socio-demographic information form, the Childhood Traumas Scale (CTQ-33), the Psychological Well-Being Scale, the Perception of God Scale, and the Assumptions About the World Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Hayes' PROCESS macro; correlations, group comparisons, and sequential mediation analyses were applied. Findings showed that childhood traumas significantly and negatively predicted psychological well-being. Mediation analyses revealed that perception of God played a significant mediating role in this relationship across all models; among worldview assumptions, the dimensions of luck and self-worth, in particular, showed sequential mediating effects both independently and in conjunction with perception of God. It was determined that other world assumption dimensions produced meaningful indirect effects when considered together with the perception of God. The findings obtained in this study were discussed within the framework of the relevant literature, and various suggestions were made for future research.