Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship of childhood trauma experiences with cognitive distortions and sense of coherence in nursing students.
Design and methods: This descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 359 nursing students. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS), and Sense of Coherence (SOC).
Findings: A positive correlation between CTQ and CDS and a negative correlation between CTQ and SOC were determined (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the CTQ sexual abuse variable had a significant (p = 0.008) effect on the SOC meaningfulness subscale.
Practice implications: It is thought that it is essential to strengthen nursing students in terms of childhood traumatic experiences, and the sense of coherence will contribute positively to this situation.
Keywords: adult survivors of child abuse; cognitive distortions; nursing students; sense of coherence.
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