Prevalence of types of childhood abuse among youth: A study based on the CTQ methodology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence and types of violence experienced by young students, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) as a methodological framework. The research focuses on five dimensions of early adverse experiences: emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect. The findings reveal that emotional abuse and neglect are the most common forms of childhood violence reported among young people. Although the self-reported rates of sexual abuse appear relatively low, high scores on the minimization/denial scale suggest that respondents may underreport such experiences, indicating the presence of concealed trauma. Several participants reported experiencing violence «often» or «very often», underscoring the potential long-term effects of childhood trauma on students’ psychological well-being.The results highlight the importance of developing psychological support systems within higher education institutions. Preventive measures and early intervention programs can help maintain students ’emotional health, increase awareness of trauma-related issues, and strengthen access to psychological counseling services. Enhancing the sense of safety within educational settings may also encourage more students to seek professional psychological assistance.This research has significant scientific and practical implications for assessing the psychological state of university students, identifying the long-term effects of childhood trauma, and integrating trauma-informed approaches into mental health support strategies in higher education