Dating Violence and Childhood Traumatic Experience: The Mediating Role of Rejection Sensitivity, Irrational Beliefs

This study investigated the mediating role of rejection sensitivity and irrational beliefs in the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and dating violence attitudes in young adults. The study group consists of 960 university students studying at two different state universities in Turkey. The study utilized several scales, including the Dating Violence Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, and Relationship Belief Inventory. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed a negative relationship between childhood trauma, rejection sensitivity, irrational beliefs, and dating violence attitudes. Increased childhood trauma was associated with higher rejection sensitivity and irrational beliefs, which in turn led to greater acceptance of dating violence. The model explained 29% of the variance in dating violence attitudes. Findings were discussed in the context of existing literature, with several recommendations provided.