The mediator role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship of childhood traumas with risky alcohol and substance use and sexual compulsions

In this study, the mediator role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between childhood trauma, risky alcohol and substance use, and sexual compulsions was investigated. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between childhood trauma, risky alcohol and substance use, sexual compulsions and cognitive emotion regulation strategies. The sample of the research consists of 303 participants studying at universities in Ankara. Informed Consent Form, Demographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Sexual Compulsions Scale, Addiction Profile Index Risk Screening Scale and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were used to collect data for the purposes of the study. Relationships between childhood trauma, risky alcohol and substance use, sexual compulsions, and cognitive emotion regulation strategies were investigated using correlation and simple linear regression analyses. Model 4 was used for mediation analysis. It was found that childhood trauma predicted risky alcohol and substance use, sexual compulsions and cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies predicted sexual compulsions. According to the results of the study, childhood trauma predicts sexual compulsions with the mediator role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. The results of this study emphasize that childhood trauma and cognitive emotion regulation strategies may be important factors to be considered in the process of creating addiction risk. The results of the study can make a useful contribution to researchers and practitioners in related fields. Keywords: Sexual Compulsion, Childhood Trauma, Emotion Regulation, Risky Alcohol Use, Risky Substance Use