Exploring Healing Bonds: The Mediator Role of Relational Needs in the Relationship Between Childhood Traumas and Psychological Distress and Well-Being

Basit Öğe Kaydı
dc.contributor.authorGokdag, Ceren
dc.contributor.authorMackali, Zeynep
dc.contributor.authorToksoy, Safak Ebru
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-04T18:55:40Z
dc.date.available2026-04-04T18:55:40Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentİstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractErskine's Relational Needs Model, a core component of Relationally focused and Developmentally based Integrative Psychotherapy, emphasizes that relational needs are intrinsic to human nature, highlighting their vital role in shaping our emotional well-being and interpersonal interactions. When these needs are met, individuals may experience feelings of importance and love, but when they remain unfulfilled, negative emotions can adversely impact their well-being. These needs develop at the beginning of life and are influenced by childhood experiences. This study's primary objective was to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma, relational needs, psychological distress, and well-being. We also tested a model incorporating relational needs as a mediator. Measures related to childhood trauma, relational needs, psychological distress, and well-being were administered to a total of 364 adults. Pearson correlation results demonstrated a negative association between the satisfaction of relational needs, childhood traumas, depression, anxiety, and stress, while also revealing a positive correlation with well-being. Structural equation modeling results confirmed the mediating role of relational needs in the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological state (distress and well-being). Our findings are consistent with the theoretical framework of the Relational Needs Model, suggesting that childhood maltreatment negatively affects current relational needs satisfaction, thereby increasing psychological distress and reducing well-being. This study is the first to empirically demonstrate the connection between Erskine's model and key variables, highlighting the importance of addressing relational needs in psychotherapy to promote client well-being.
dc.description.sponsorshipIstanbul Bilgi University
dc.description.sponsorshipWe thank the language editing and proofreading support provided by Istanbul Bilgi University. The dataset used in this study has also been utilized in another research project with a different hypothesis, which is currently under review in a peer-reviewed journal.
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/10926771.2025.2494117
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/10926771.2025.2494117
dc.identifier.endpage779
dc.identifier.issn1092-6771
dc.identifier.issn1545-083X
dc.identifier.issue5
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105003242485
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.startpage761
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2025.2494117
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11411/10519
dc.identifier.volume34
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001471380000001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ2
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherRoutledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzKA_WoS_20260402
dc.snmzKA_Scopus_20260402
dc.subjectChildhood Trauma
dc.subjectIntegrative Psychotherapy
dc.subjectPsychological Distress
dc.subjectRelational Needs
dc.subjectWell-Being
dc.titleExploring Healing Bonds: The Mediator Role of Relational Needs in the Relationship Between Childhood Traumas and Psychological Distress and Well-Being
dc.typeArticle

Dosyalar

Koleksiyon

Web of Science Indexed Publications
Scopus Indexed Publications