Does Childhood Trauma Predict Relationship Satisfaction in Young Adults?

Abstract

This study examined whether childhood trauma predicts relationship satisfaction among young adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and 278 participants were selected using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and analyzed using linear regression. The results indicated that childhood trauma significantly predicted relationship satisfaction, R² = .157, F(1,276) = 22.28, p < .001. However, the direction of the relationship suggests the need for careful interpretation due to potential scoring issues. The findings highlight the enduring influence of early adverse experiences on relational functioning in adulthood. The study recommends trauma-informed interventions to enhance relationship outcomes among young adults.