the relationship between childhood traumas and integrative self-knowledge with mental pain

Introduction: the aim of this research is to determine the relationship between childhood trauma, integrative self-knowledge (isk) and mental pain. in this study, isk has been considered as mediating variable that can be influenced by childhood adversities and, in turn, affect the level of mental pain experienced by individuals.method: this study employed a descriptive correlational design. the statistical population includes all students aged 18 to 25 who are enrolled in one of the universities in tehran and karaj in 2023. a total of 117 volunteers were selected conveniently. the data were collected using the childhood trauma questionnaire-short form (ctq-sf), the isk and the orbach and mikulincer mental pain scale (ommp). statistical data analysis was pearson correlation and structural equation modelling.results: the results of this study indicated a significant positive association between childhood trauma and mental pain (p<0.05). additionally, a significant negative association was found between isk and mental pain (p<0.05). furthermore, a significant negative association (p<0.01) was observed between the overall score of childhood trauma and isk. finally, based on the structural equation modelling, isk was found to mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and mental pain.conclusion: the final implication of this study is that attention and sensitivity to an individual's life history, including experiences of childhood adversities, the level of self-knowledge, and the individual's self-knowledge in the form of a coherent narrative, and the amount of psychological pain that the person experiences, are of particular importance in assessing and addressing the individual's need for psychological and psychiatric interventions.