Examination of childhood traumas and difficulty of emotion regulation and self-compassion in university students

Childhood is the period that is fundamental for the future of individuals. This period is the period that poses a risk for traumas. When trauma is ignored and precautions are not taken, it can endanger life as well as hormonal and psychological effects. Trauma, as it can be seen in individuals at any age, especially in childhood, has a negative effect on individual and mental development. In the studies conducted, it is understood that individuals have been exposed to trauma at least once at a young age, and 25-61% of children generally experience trauma. This study aimed to determine university students' childhood trauma and self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulties. In line with this purpose, it was selected from the students studying at universities in Istanbul in the relational screening model and in the 2019-2020 academic year. Socio-Demographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma (CCT) Scale, Emotion Regulation Difficulty (DDG) Scale and Self-Compassion Scale were used in the study. The responses of the participants to the scales were analyzed through the SPSS 25.0 program. Participants in the study stated that the average age of 22 is 64.8% female, 64.8% female, 71.9% not working, 96.2% single. According to the results of the study, DDG is also seen in the presence of CCT in university students. According to the relationship between CCT and self-compassion, with the increase of emotional neglect, emotional and physical abuse, self-love, self-judgment and over-identification also increase. According to the relationship between self-compassion and DDG, awareness, openness and increased impulse, sharing awareness, isolation and consciousness decrease. As goals, strategy, openness, impulse and non-acceptance increase, so does self-judgment and identification. It is recommended that university students participate in therapies that can be organized by experts in order to prevent or reduce the progression of DDG levels depending on experiencing CCT.