The goals for the study were threefold. One was to screen for traumatic experiences and challenging behaviors in children who live in an at-risk, deprived environment in Eastern Türkiye. Using a projective technique, second goal was to explore how children in such an environment experienced trauma. Finally, the third aim of the study was to explore the relationship between traumatic experiences and challenging behaviors. The mixed technique, which uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods, was used in the present study. The traumatic screening inventory was distributed to the parents to screen for a range of traumatic events the children had experienced. The data about challenging behaviors of the children was obtained using the "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire". Finally, children completed three unfinished short stories containing elements representing the risk factors of the region during one-on-one interviews. Ninety-five children living in an eastern Turkish city participated in the study, and the results showed that children's responses to story completion indicating high trauma were positively associated with challenging behaviors. Specifically, children's traumatic responses were associated with high levels of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems.