The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties in the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Misophonia: A Cross-Sectional Study of University Students

Abstract

Background: Misophonia is a sound intolerance characterized by intense emotional and physiological responses to specific repetitive sounds, often impairing functioning. Childhood trauma (CT) may elevate the risk of misophonia through its impact on emotion regulation difficulties (ERDs). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of university students (N = 294; mean age = 23.4 ± 5.0; 71.4% female). Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and a misophonia Scale. Pearson correlations were calculated, and mediation analysis was performed to test DERS as a mediator between CTQ scores and misophonia. Results: CTQ, DERS, and misophonia were all positively correlated. CTQ showed a significant total effect on misophonia (b = 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15, 0.46). When DERS was included in the model, the direct effect of CTQ on misophonia was not significant (b = 0.08, 95% CI: –0.06, 0.23), while the indirect effect via DERS was significant (b = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.34). Conclusions: Findings are consistent with a full mediation model, with DERS statistically accounting for the association between CTQ and misophonia. Trauma-related impairments in emotion regulation may represent key factors contributing to misophonia. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporal and causal pathways.