Seyma Abay

Halic University
Turkey

Abstract Title: The Relationship Between Trauma- and Violence-Informed Awareness and Psychological Resilience Among Nursing Students in Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice

Biography:

?eyma Abay completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Girne American University, Cyprus, and currently serves as a lecturer at Halic University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey. Her academic interests include women’s health, obstetrics and gynecology nursing, and mental health nursing. She also mentors undergraduate nursing students in clinical practice and research focused on women’s health and mental health.

Research Interest:

Nursing students in obstetrics and gynecology settings are often exposed to emotionally demanding and potentially traumatic situations. These experiences are intensified in hospitals located in regions with high birth and crime rates, where trauma and violence are more common. This study aimed to examine the relationship between trauma- and violence-informed awareness (TVIA) and psychological resilience among nursing students.

Methods
This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between February and October 2025 at a tertiary obstetrics and trauma center located in a region characterized by high crime and birth rates. The sample consisted of 42 undergraduate nursing students who had completed theoretical and clinical training in obstetrics and gynecology nursing. Data were collected using three validated Turkish instruments:
1. Trauma Informed Care Scale (TICS; Tekin & Bayar, 2023) – 18 items, 5-point Likert, measuring knowledge, attitude, and practice (α = 0.80).
2. Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale–Short Form (CD-RISC-10; Kaya & Odac?, 2021) – 10 items, 5-point Likert, assessing resilience (α = 0.81).
3. Brief Symptom Inventory–18 (BSI-18; Franke et al., 2017) – 18 items, 5-point Likert, assessing somatization, depression, and anxiety (α = 0.93). The Global Severity Index (GSI) represented overall distress.

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression analyses (p < 0.05).

Results:
Mean scores were TICS = 67.9 ± 9.4, CD-RISC-10 = 28.1 ± 5.7, and BSI-18 GSI = 0.81 ± 0.46. Trauma-informed awareness (TICS) correlated positively with resilience (CD-RISC-10; r = 0.47, p < 0.001) and negatively with distress (BSI-18; r = –0.33, p < 0.05). TICS scores significantly predicted CD-RISC-10 scores (β = 0.41, p < 0.001), explaining 25% of the variance in resilience. Conclusion: Higher trauma-informed awareness strengthens psychological resilience and reduces distress among nursing students. Integrating trauma-informed care into nursing education may enhance empathy, coping skills, and professional preparedness. Keywords: Trauma-informed care; psychological resilience; nursing students; obstetrics and gynecology; mental health nursing