The Effects of Child Abuse Experience of University Students on Intent Attribution: The Moderated Mediating Effect of Post-Traumatic Negative Cognition by Traumatized Self-System

Objectives: This research aimed to explore how post-traumatic negative cognition and a traumatized selfsystem affect the relationship between experiences of child abuse and intent attribution. Specifically, the study sought to examine the role of a traumatized self-system on as a moderated mediator in the relationship between child abuse experiences and intent attribution through the post-traumatic negative cognition of university students.Methods: The study involved 363 university students, including 118 males (32.5%). These participants completed self-assessment surveys to evaluate their experiences of child abuse, post-traumatic negative cognition, traumatized self-system, and intent attribution. We tested the date for moderated mediating effects using Macro Process 4.2 with model 14.Results: First, the study revealed that post-traumatic negative cognition fully mediates the relationship between experiences of child abuse and intent attribution. Second, the effects of post-traumatic negative cognition on intent attribution, varied depending on the level of the traumatized self-system. Third, the study confirmed a moderated mediating effect of the traumatized self-system. Specifically, the mediating role of post-traumatic negative cognition was moderated by the traumatized self-system in the relationship between child abuse experiences and intent attribution. The data indicate that a higher level of traumatized self-system, corresponds to an increased level of intent attribution.Conclusion: This research significantly contributes to our understanding of intent attribution by emphasizing the role of child abuse experiences and post-traumatic negative cognition confirming these as risk factors for a traumatized self-system. The data from this study provide valuable insights for developing intervention programs aimed at reducing intent attribution among university students.