The present study aims to investigate the effects of childhood trauma and pain type on pain perception, with empathy considered as a moderating variable. This study is applied in terms of purpose and employs a semi-experimental factorial design with both within-subject and between-subject factors. The target population consists of young adults aged 18–25 years in 2026, and a convenience sample of 120 eligible participants will be recruited.

Childhood trauma will be assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and empathy will be measured using the Basic Empathy Scale (BES). Pain perception will be examined through scenarios depicting physical pain and psychological pain (emotional suffering) in both self-related and other-related conditions. The study will evaluate the relationships among childhood trauma, empathy, pain type, and pain perception.

Inclusion criteria are: age between 18 and 25 years, general physical health, absence of chronic pain, no regular use of strong analgesics or psychiatric medications during the month prior to participation, and no history of severe psychological disorders. Exclusion criteria include withdrawal from the study at any stage, incomplete questionnaire responses, and failure to comply with study instructions.

Participation in the study is voluntary, and all collected data will be kept confidential and used solely for research purposes.