Research Article

The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility

Number: 77 January 31, 2026
TR EN

The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences are a global health problem that can negatively impact individuals in adulthood. While the negative effects of these experiences extending into adulthood are well known, their impact on existential relationships and ways of giving meaning to life is less well-known. In this context, psychological flexibility is considered to play a key mediating role in the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and ontological well-being. This study aimed to examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and ontological well-being in university students and the mediating role of psychological flexibility in this relationship. The study was conducted with a sample of 534 young adult university students (female 47.8%, male 52.2%). Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between variables, and Model 4 bootstrap analysis, generated with 5,000 resamples, was used to analyze the mediating effect. Mediation analyses revealed that psychological flexibility played a full mediating role in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and ontological well-being. The findings indicated that psychological flexibility may serve as a critical mechanism in reducing the impact of adverse childhood experiences on individuals’ existential well‑being.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study protocol has been approved by Mugla Sitki Kocman University's Human Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 240100-122 ). The research was carried out in accordance with the ethical principles stated in the 1964 Helsinki Declaration. Prior to participation, all participants provided informed consent, which explained the purpose of the research, assured confidentiality of personal information, and emphasized that participation was entirely voluntary.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychological Counseling and Guidance (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 31, 2026

Submission Date

September 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 77

APA
Büyükcebeci, A. (2026). The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, 77, 71-85. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1781102
AMA
1.Büyükcebeci A. The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 2026;(77):71-85. doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1781102
Chicago
Büyükcebeci, Ayça. 2026. “The Relationship Between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Ontological Well-Being of University Students: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, nos. 77: 71-85. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1781102.
EndNote
Büyükcebeci A (January 1, 2026) The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty 77 71–85.
IEEE
[1]A. Büyükcebeci, “The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility”, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, no. 77, pp. 71–85, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.21764/maeuefd.1781102.
ISNAD
Büyükcebeci, Ayça. “The Relationship Between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Ontological Well-Being of University Students: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 77 (January 1, 2026): 71-85. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1781102.
JAMA
1.Büyükcebeci A. The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 2026;:71–85.
MLA
Büyükcebeci, Ayça. “The Relationship Between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Ontological Well-Being of University Students: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, no. 77, Jan. 2026, pp. 71-85, doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1781102.
Vancouver
1.Ayça Büyükcebeci. The relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and ontological well-being of university students: The mediating role of psychological flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 2026 Jan. 1;(77):71-85. doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1781102

Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty

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