The Role of Traumatic Childhood Experiences in Predicting a Disposition to Risk-Taking and Aggression in Turkish University Students


Odaci H., Celik C. B.

JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE, vol.35, pp.1998-2011, 2020 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0886260517696862
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, EMBASE, Gender Studies Database, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1998-2011
  • Keywords: physical maltreatment, emotional maltreatment, emotional abuse, sexual maltreatment, risk-taking, SEXUAL-ABUSE, CHILDREN, WOMEN, MALTREATMENT, DEPRESSION, NEGLECT, IMPACT, PTSD
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not traumatic childhood experiences in childhood predict a disposition to risk-taking and aggression among university students. The participants consisted of 851 students: 477 (56.1%) females and 374 (43.9%) males attending various faculties at the Karadeniz Technical University in Turkey. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale, Aggression Questionnaire, and Personal Information Form were used for data collection. The analysis results revealed a positive correlation between traumatic experiences (physical, sexual, emotional maltreatment, and emotional neglect) and risk-taking and aggression. Physical and sexual abuse and gender are significant predictors of risk-taking. Physical abuse and gender are some of the predictors of aggression. Another finding from the study is that physical and emotional abuse and emotional neglect vary by gender. This study concludes that exposure to traumatic experiences in childhood prepares the foundation for negative behaviors in adulthood.