Evaluation of The Effect of Childhood Trauma on The Anger Status of University Students

Abstract

In this study, it was intended to evaluate the effect of childhood trauma on the anger status of university students. A total of 323 students who were studying in a University, Department of Nursing were included in this cross-sectional study. All data were collected by using Descriptive Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale. Data were analyzed by using numerical and percentage values, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman Correlation Analysis. It was found that mean total score of Childhood Traumatic Events Scale was 102.26, mean score of emotional abuse and neglect was 59.96, mean score of physical abuse was 33.18 and mean score of sexual abuse was 9.11. Mean trait anger score of students was found to be 22.67; and mean scores of anger-out, anger-in and anger control, that are the subdimensions of anger expression styles, were found to be 17.16, 16.58 and 21.57, respectively. When the relationship between childhood traumatic events of the students and their trait anger and the forms of anger expression was examined, it was determined that their trait anger levels increased (p=0.000, r=0.203), and they reflected their anger more (p=0.000, r=0.217) as their exposure to traumatic events increased. According to the results of this study, it was found that mean score of Childhood Traumatic Events Scale was was high. Key Words: University student, Childhood Traumatic Events, Anger status