Abstract

This study explored the impact of different types of trauma-specifically victimization trauma, accidental/injury trauma, and predominant death threat trauma-on various mental health issues, with a particular focus on the mediating the role of loneliness. A total of 336 adults (169 males, 167 females) completed self-report questionnaires that assessed their experiences of traumatic events, loneliness, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and emotion dysregulation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis found that victimization trauma did not significantly predict PTSS, depression, or emotion dysregulation. In contrast, predominant death threat trauma was a significant predictor of both PTSS and emotion dysregulation. Additionally, mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between victimization trauma and all three mental health outcomes was fully mediated by loneliness. These findings suggest that the negative effects of victimization trauma on mental health manifest indirectly through loneliness rather than through direct effects. This study highlights the importance of addressing loneliness as a means to prevent and alleviate mental health issues in individuals who have experienced victimization trauma.