The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between childhood trauma and marital conflict. In a correlational design, 420 married students studying at the University of Kurdistan (Sanandaj, Iran) during the first semester of the 2022-2023 academic year were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ). The results indicated significant negative relationships between childhood trauma and self-compassion, and significant positive relationships between childhood trauma and marital conflict (P < 0.05). The path model demonstrated satisfactory fit indices. All direct effects of childhood trauma on self-compassion were negative and significant (P < 0.05). The indirect effect of childhood trauma on marital conflict through self-compassion was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Self-compassion played its strongest mediating role in the relationship between emotional neglect and marital conflict (β = 0.09) and its weakest mediating role in the relationship between physical abuse and marital conflict (β = 0.05). It appears that self-compassion plays a determining role in the transmission of early adversities to adult intimate relationships. Therefore, attending to the enhancement of self-compassion capacity within couple therapy protocols for individuals with a history of trauma is essential.