Examining the Relationship Between Childhood Traumas, Alexithymia and Emotional Regulation Difficulties in University Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between childhood traumas, alexithymia, and difficulty in emotion regulation among university students. A relational screening approach was used in the research. A relational screening model was used in the research. The study sample group consists of 351 university students. 83.5% of the participants were women (n = 293) and 16.5% were men (n = 63). Informed Voluntary Consent Form, Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale and Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form were administered to the participants. Data collection was carried out online (Google Forms) through convenient sampling, examining the relationship and effect between nonparametric tests and sociodemographic characteristics, childhood traumas, alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties by looking at normality curves in data analysis. As a result of the research findings, a significant and positive relationship was found between childhood traumas, alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties of university students. In addition, it was determined that male individuals are more alexithymia than females, females are exposed to sexual abuse more than males, the 24–25 age group has more emotional dysregulation, and the rates of emotional dysregulation and alexithymia are low in the presence of a romantic relationship. It is thought that this study can contribute to the relevant literature.