The Relationship Between Nursing Students’ Childhood Maltreatment, Liking of Children, and Attitudes Toward Children’s Rights

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between nursing students’ experiences of childhood maltreatment, their levels of liking children, and their attitudes toward children’s rights. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with third-year stu dents in the nursing department of a public university located in the city center. Data were collected using a socio-demographic information form, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Barnett Liking of Children Scale (BLOCS), and the Children’s Rights Attitude Scale (CRAS). Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and analyzed after being transferred to a computer environment. Results: The participants’ mean age was 21.86 ± 1.30 years, with 59.3% identifying as female. A significant negative correlation was found between the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire scores and the Children’s Rights Attitude Scale scores (ρ = −0.423). No statistically significant correlation was observed between the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Barnett Liking of Children Scale scores (ρ = −0.136). However, a significant positive correlation was identified between the Children’s Rights Attitude Scale and the Barnett Liking of Children Scale scores (ρ = 0.233). Gender, family type, and family relationship status were significant factors influencing the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire scores. Additionally, gender and birth order were found to impact the Barnett Liking of Children Scale scores, while the desire to work as a pediatric nurse significantly influenced the Children’s Rights Attitude Scale scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Nursing students have low levels of childhood maltreatment, but their attitudes toward children’s rights and their levels of liking for children are high. A positive relationship was found between children’s rights and their levels of liking for children.

Keywords

• Childhood maltreatment
• Children's Rights
• Attitude

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