Abstract:

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of childhood trauma and difficulty in emotion regulation in patients with depression. Material and Methods: The cross-sectinoal study was conducted with 63 patients who were diagnosed with depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, who applied to Sakarya Yenikent State Hospital Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic between June 2020 and October 2020, and who were diagnosed with depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria and 65 healthy individuals randomly selected with similar sociodemographic characteristics. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Childhood Trauma Scale (CTQ), and Emotion Regulation Difficulty Scale (DERS). The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test, Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: In the study with a mean age of 31.48 ± 9.47 (range 18 to 61), it was found that childhood trauma questionnaire scores (excluding sexual abuse sub-dimension) and emotion regulation difficulty scale scores were higher in depression patients compared to healthy individuals. On the other hand, it was found that the BDI and DERS strategies, impulsivity, goals sub-dimensions and total scores were higher in patients with depression patients whose CTQ total score was CTQ ≥35. In addition, a positive significant relationship was found between CTQ total score and DERS acceptance, strategies, goals sub-dimensions and total scores. Conclusion: It has been determined that exposure to childhood traumas is related to current depression and this situation causes difficulties in emotion regulation.

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