Abstract:

This study aims to reveal the relationship between childhood traumatic living levels of university students, connectivity styles and defense mechanisms. It is also considered that this relationship does not differ according to demographic variables. The sample of the study is made by 425 students who are studying in different departments at the Istanbul Arel University Professional High School. Participants were applied to the Childhood Trauma Scale, Relationship Scale Survey, Defense Forms Test and the Socio-Demographic Information Form created by the researcher. All data are tested at the p<.05 level. Given the findings obtained from the study, it was found that there was a meaningful relationship in a positive direction between the level of trauma in childhood and the distorted and unconscious styles of connection. There was a meaningful relationship in the positive direction between the level of trauma and the immatural defense mechanisms, while there was a meaningful relationship in the negative direction between the matural and the neurotic defense mechanisms. There has been a meaningful relationship in the positive direction between the scary bonding style and the neurotic defense mechanism. It appears that there is a meaningful relationship between the connectivity style and the neurotic and immatural defence mechanisms. There is a meaningful relationship between the unregistered linking style and the matural, neurotic and immatural defense mechanisms. It has also been found that the level of trauma varies significantly according to gender and violence. Relationship styles have also been found to differ significantly according to gender and violence. The defence mechanisms have been shown to differ significantly according to the life of violence and the loss of mother or father. The results were discussed, interpreted and presented in recommendations along with research in literature.

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