Relationship between childhood abuse experiences, cognitive distortions and loneliness levels of high school students

Abstract

Objective: Childhood abuse experiences and their traumatic consequences have the characteristics that greatly affect the individual's future life. For this reason, it is thought that determining the variables related to neglect and abuse will be a guide for awareness-raising and prevention efforts to be made. In this study, the relationship between childhood abuse experiences, cognitive distortions and loneliness levels of high school students was investigated. Method: Study group consisted of 703 high school students. The participants were asked to complete Demographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, The Interpersonal Distortions Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale. The data were analysed using Spearman's Brown Rank Test and multiple regression. Results: The results of the data analysis indicated that a statistically significant relationship was found between physical abuse sub-dimension of childhood abuse experiences and avoidance from proximity sub-dimension of interpersonal distortions in positive way; mind reading sub-dimension of interpersonal distortions in negativeway. Also, therewas a significant positive correlation between sexual abuse sub-dimension of childhood traumatic experiences and avoidance from proximity sub-dimension of interpersonal distortions. It was found out that emotional abuse sub-dimension of childhood abuse experiences displayed a significant relationship with avoidance of proximitysub-dimension of interpersonal distortions in positive way; whereas with unrealistic expectations of relationships and mind reading sub-dimensions of interpersonal distortionsin negative way. Also it was found that childhood abuse experiences explained the 5% of the avoid proximity sub-dimension of cognitive distortions and 17% of the loneliness level. Discussion: Results of the study indicated that all sub-dimensions of childhood abuse experiences were related to sub-dimensions of cognitive distortions and loneliness levels.