Abstract
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the childhood abuse experiences as predictor of the dating anxiety for adolescents.
Method:
A total of 297 university students (169 female and 128 male) from Ondokuz Mayıs University’s varied faculties were participated in the study. The average age of the female students was 18.46±1.03. The average age of the male students was 18.52±1.10. “The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire” and “The Dating Anxiety-Adolescent Form” were used to collect data. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, Pearson Moment Correlations and independent samples t-test were used to analyze the data.
Results:
The results of Pearson moment correlations analysis showed that the dating anxiety was signifi cantly correlated with emotional abuse (r= .26, p<.01), physical abuse (r= .17, p<.01), and sexual abuse (r= .18, p<.01). The results of the stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed emotional abuse (R2= .066) as a predictor of the dating anxiety on adolescents. The t-test results showed that sexual abuse and emotional abuse of male adolescents was higher than female adolescents.
Discussion:
These fi ndings may be helpful us in order to produce effective solutions for preventive and protective health and psychological helping services.
Keywords: Childhood trauma experiences, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, dating anxiety
