This study aimed to determine whether the relative importance of intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations, and reported quality of life would differ between individuals who recalled experiencing childhood trauma and those who did not. A sample of 149 Australian residents (31 males and 118 females) at least 18 years of age completed an online survey which contained: demographic questions; an item asking if participants had experienced trauma during childhood (yes/no); an adapted version of the Aspirations Index – Revised (Kasser & Ryan, 1996), which assessed the importance of intrinsic aspirations and extrinsic aspirations; and an adapted version of the Quality of Life Scale (Fleeson, 2004). It was expected that individuals who experienced childhood trauma would place higher importance on extrinsic aspirations, lower importance on intrinsic aspirations, and would report a lower quality of life than individuals who did not experience childhood trauma. Only the importance placed on intrinsic aspirations differed between individuals who did and did not experience childhood trauma, F(1, 147) = 4.20, p < .05. Additionally, it was identified that it was intrinsic aspirations relating to “relationships” specifically that were different between individuals who did and did not experience childhood trauma, F(1,147) = 3.87, p < .05. Individuals who had experienced childhood trauma held lower intrinsic aspirations involving relationships (M = 5.98; SD = 0.90) than individuals who had not experienced childhood trauma (M = 6.27; SD = 0.90). Identification of the fact that aspirations relating to “relationships” differed between individuals who did and did not experience childhood trauma, and yet the quality of life of the two groups was not different, suggests that individuals who experience childhood trauma and subsequently lower the importance they place on relationships are in fact utilising an adaptive coping strategy that will protect their future quality of life.