Examining the relationship between childhood trauma and family adjustment and life satisfaction in university students

Childhood traumas can lead to long-term effects on individuals' mental health and family relationships in adulthood. In this regard, there is a need for studies that evaluate the effects of childhood traumas in youth and adulthood. The aim of this research is to examine the levels of childhood traumas and family adjustment and life satisfaction in university students, and to determine whether there is a relationship between childhood traumas and family adjustment and between childhood traumas and life satisfaction. This study, which is a cross- sectional research in the relational survey model, was conducted with 814 students studying at Amasya University between November and December 2023. Data were collected throughface-to-face interviews using the "Personal Information Form", "Childhood TraumaExperiences Scale (CCAS)", "Family Adjustment Scale (FAS)" and "Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS)". The data obtained in the study were analyzed with a statistical program. The average age of the university students participating in the research was 20.68±1.50, 66.2% were female and 33.8% were male. The students' average CCAS score was 38.85±15.17; The mean values for the sub-dimensions are Physical Abuse=6.61±3.34; Sexual Abuse=6.72±4.15; Emotional Abuse=8.51±4.18, Physical Neglect=7.66±3.29 and Emotional Neglect=9.36±4.07. The mean score of FAS is 20.01±4.89 and the mean score of LSS is 15.60±4.92. There is a statistically significant, negative and moderate relationship between the CCAS and FAS scores (r = -0.629: p = 0.000). 46.5% of the change in FAS scores isexplained by CCAS scores (R 2 = 0.465). A one-unit i ncrease in CCAS scores decreases FAS scores by -0.205 units (Beta = -0.205). There is a statistically significant, negative andmedium-level relationship between CCAS and LSS scores (r = -0.450:p = 0.000). 19.9% of the change in LSS scores is explained by CCAS scores (R 2 = 0.199). A one-unit increase in the CCAS scores decreases the LSS scores by -0.147 units (Beta = -0.147). As a result of this study conducted on university students, it was determined that the students had low levels of negative childhood experiences, high levels of family adjustment and moderate levels of life satisfaction. It was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between students' childhood traumas and family adjustment and life satisfaction. The more childhood traumatic experiences students experienced, the more negatively their family adjustment and life satisfaction levels were affected. In this direction, it is recommended to include awareness raising activities on neglect and abuse issues starting from childhood within educational activities and to cooperate with families.