Journal of

Background and Aim: Childhood traumas can have lasting effects on interpersonal relationships and quality of life in adulthood. Loneliness, as one of the common consequences of these traumas, may play a key role in reducing marital satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between childhood traumas and marital satisfaction.
Methods: In this correlational study, 300 students from undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels at the Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, during the academic year 2023-2024 were selected through convenience sampling. The research tools included the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (Fowers & Olson, 1989), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein et al., 2003).
Results: The findings showed a negative relationship between childhood traumas and marital satisfaction and a significant positive relationship between childhood traumas and loneliness. Additionally, a significant negative relationship was observed between loneliness and marital satisfaction. The analysis confirmed the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between childhood traumas and marital satisfaction. The variables of loneliness and marital satisfaction explained 23% and 31% of the variance, respectively, by childhood traumas and loneliness.
Conclusion: The results indicated that increased loneliness in individuals with childhood traumas could lead to disruptions in their marital relationships in adulthood. Addressing loneliness can help improve marital satisfaction and strengthen healthy relationships.