Correlations between childhood trauma and depression, anxiety, and stress levels in nurses

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to determine correlations between childhood trauma and depression, anxiety, and stress levels in nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in Turkey from August to September 2022. A total of 395 nurses were included in the study. Data were collected through an online survey using a personal information form, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21).Results: The mean score of the CTQ-28 total scale was 51.6, and emotional neglect was the most common type of abuse. The prevalence of moderate-to-extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress was 34.7 %, 42.2 %, and 18.3 %, respectively. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect subscales of the CTQ were independently related to all three DASS subscale scores. Conclusion: This study revealed that the emotional abuse and neglect experienced in childhood are related to the nurses' current stress, anxiety, and depression levels.