Theses supervised by Şenel Hüsnü Raman
11 theses · Eastern Mediterranean University
The Role of Gender, Romantic Jealousy and Intimate Partner Violence on Relationship Satisfaction during Young Adulthood
Developing a healthy romantic relationship has a fundamental effect on an individuals’ well being as it is linked to better physical and mental health. The current study aimed to investigate the role of gender, romantic jealousy and attitudes towards intimate partner violence on relationship satisfaction while at the same time assessing the differences between emerging and young adults. The sample included 230 (149 females; 81 males) Turkish speaking heterosexual unmarried individuals between 18 to 30 years old who completed self-report measures including Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (MDJS), Intimate Partner Violence Attitudes Scale (IPVAS) and Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Results showed that cognitive jealousy predicted relationship satisfaction. When participants showed higher jealousy, their relationship satisfaction was also high. There were no age period or gender differences on jealousy levels. Abusive attitudes were correlated with behavioral and emotional jealousy. Women showed more positive abusive attitudes than men. Participants with abusive attitudes were found to have higher relationship satisfaction. The role of additional relationship variables, namely being whether it's the participant's first relationship, the perception of relationship as ‘long term’, and relationship duration were also assessed. Perception of relationship as long term was found to positively predict relationship satisfaction. The results yielded no significant differences between emerging and young adults on any of the measures. The results are discussed in light of the traditional nature of the Turkish speaking emerging and young adults culture with implications for developing healthier intimate relationships. Keywords: Jealousy, relationship satisfaction, attitudes toward IPV
Parental Influence on Children’s Gender Roles and Future Job Aspirations
Gender roles are defined as roles which are related to one’s gender. Children’s gender roles are shaped by many factors such as family, peers, school, etc. and can change based on culture. Parents play a great influence on children’s gender roles and future job aspirations. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of parental ambivalent sexism and traditional gender role ideology on children’s traditional gender stereotyped attitudes, non-conforming peer preferences, toy preferences and gender typed aspirations. Seventy-two Turkish-speaking children (31 boys and 41 girls, M=8.90) and their parents (112), including 65 mothers and 47 fathers participated in the study. Children and their parents were recruited from both North Cyprus and Turkey. Results showed that, fathers and mothers had the same amount of scores on benevolent sexism, however fathers’ hostile sexism was higher than mothers’. Hostile sexist fathers’ daughters were more likely to show gender stereotypical beliefs. In non-conforming peer preferences, boys preference for play with masculine girl peers was related with parental ambivalent sexism, parental flexibility and age. In girls however it was related to maternal benevolent sexism and marginally related with fathers’ flexibility. Also, preference for play with feminine toys in boys was related to fathers’ flexibility. There was no significant finding of the influence of parental ambivalent sexism on children’s flexibility in occupation. Limitations and future directions of research are discussed. Keywords: Gender Roles, Parental influence, Peer preferences, Toy preferences, Ambivalent Sexism Theory
Intimate Partner Violence - Who is to Blame?
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important public health and social problem leaving devastating mental and physical problems regardless of age, culture, race, or geography. In order to understand IPV, it is important to examine how cultures construct attitudes, norms and expectations about relationships. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine; (a) attitudes towards IPV between genders, (b) victim-blaming attributions, (c) the role of a number of variables that might lead to violence in relationships; more specifically myth endorsement, beating beliefs, ambivalent sexism (AS), victim-blaming attribution, IPV attitudes and empathy. The sample consisted of 260 (174 females; 86 males) Turkish speaking participants who completed self-report measures including Victim Blaming Attribution Measure, Intimate Partner Violence Attitudes Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, Myth Attitudes Scale, and Inventory of Beliefs about Wife Beating. Results revealed that positive beliefs toward beating, hostile sexism (HS) and benevolent sexism (BS) predicted victim-blaming in males; whereas beating beliefs, attitudes toward IPV, BS and empathic concern (EC) predicted victim-blaming in females. Regardless of gender, predictors of attitudes toward IPV were found as beating beliefs, victim-blaming, BS, and perspective taking (PT). Also, BS, HS and beating beliefs together mediate the link of IPV attitudes and victim-blaming. Results are discussed in light of the traditional gender system evident in Turkish societal make-up by providing insight into cultural factors.
The Relationship between Trait Anxiety, Attachment, Sexism, Relationship Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction among Iranian Couples
The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of gender, trait anxiety, attachment and sexism on relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction among Iranian couples who are studying in EMU. Seventy seven Iranian couples were selected as a sample to answer the scales including; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the revised version of Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECRI-R), Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and Satisfaction With Life scale (SWLS). The findings of the study showed higher trait anxiety was related to low life satisfaction but it was not related to relationship satisfaction, and women showed higher trait anxiety compare to men. Secure attachment style predicted higher life satisfaction via the mediating role of higher relationship satisfaction. There was no difference between men and women in attachment style. Hostile Sexism (HS) showed a trend in predicting low relationship satisfaction and Benevolent Sexism (BS) did not predict relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction, although men’s BS and HS scores were higher than women. The results are discussed in light of the Iranian culture. Keywords: Trait anxiety, attachment, sexism, relationship satisfaction, life satisfaction
Stress and other Correlates of Academic Success among Nigerian Students in Eastern Mediterranean University
This study examines the impact of stress and other correlates of academic success among Nigerian students in Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta North Cyprus, as they face challenges that correspond with studying abroad in a foreign land. The research explores the relationship between stress, academic motivation, academic environment and social support in relation to academic success. A total of 141 participants completed a questionnaire including a demographic section and subscales of the Students Adaptation to College Questionnaire namely, Academic Environment Scale and Academic Motivation Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Perceived Stress Scale. Academic success was measured with the use of the students current semester GPA declared by the participant student as graded in the questionnaire. Results revealed that stress, social support, academic motivation and positive academic environment did not significantly predict academic success. Also there were no gender differences among the variables except for stress factor. This research will make it possible for the students’ welfare department and the university authority to gain awareness about the travails of the Nigerian students amidst international students in general. Keywords: academic success, motivation, Nigerian students, stress, positive academic environment.
Factors Predicting Gender Roles in Children
Children show feminine or masculine features at a very early age. These features gradually grow in children with the socialization process. With this process children behave in line with and show preference for same-gender peers and activities which are seen as appropriate for their sex. There are a number of factors that lead to these gender-appropriate behaviors and create gender roles. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of stories about women superheroes on the perception of children’s traditional gender roles. To date, there has been no research which has looked at the effects of female superheroes on gender stereotyping. The sample consisted of 76 (37 male and 37 female) Turkish speaking children between the ages of 6-11 years. Children were separated into two groups: The experimental and control. It was hypothesized that children in the experimental group who listened to female superheroes stories would show reduced gender bias and traditional gender role typing at the post-test phase in comparison to the control group who listened to stories about animals. They were given a pre-test to determine their TV exposure and pre-existing gender stereotyping. Those in the experimental group were read the Supergirl stories for three consecutive weeks, whereas children in the control condition were simply read stories about animals. At the post-test phase both groups received the same battery of questions as the pre-test and also, Job Check List, Peer preference scale and Toy preference scale were used. Findings showed that participants exposed to the experimental manipulation of storytelling, listed a significantly more number of female superheroes as their favorite superhero than before the intervention. No difference between conditions for gender stereotyped attitudes after storytelling was obtained. Results are discussed in the light of previous studies. Keywords: Gender, Gender Development, Gender Stereotyping, Gender Roles, Storytelling
The Role of Parental, Societal and Personal Factors in Predicting Attitudes towards Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV), a type of common violence, is a public health problem, that cause psychological, physical or mental health problems for the victims and likely to require psychosocial interventions. For this reason, it is important to understand the risk factors that play a role in determining attitudes towards partner violence. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate; (a) gender differences in attitudes towards partner violence, (b) the roles of parental (i.e., perceived mother and father conflict), societal (i.e., gender role stereotyping) and personal factors (i.e., ambivalent, hostile and benevolent sexism beliefs) in predicting attitudes towards IPV. The sample consisted of 120 (n = 60 males; n = 60 females) Turkish speaking participants who had a current romantic relationship, between the ages of 18 to 25 years (Mean= 22.0, SD= 1.98). Participants completed self-report measures of Perception of Gender Scale, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, Children’s Perception of Inter-Parental Conflict Scale and Intimate Partner Violence Attitude Scale. Results showed that benevolent sexism (BS) alone predicted attitudes towards IPV in both genders. In addition, males had more positive attitudes towards IPV and had higher hostile sexism (HS) beliefs; while females had more positive gender role stereotyping and more self-blame toward themselves for inter-parental conflict. Results are interpreted under feminist theory. Keywords: Inter-parental conflict, Gender roles, Sexism, Attitudes towards IPV, Feminist theory
Social Cognition and Personality Factors as Predictors of Interpersonal Forgiveness
Forgiveness might play an important role on romantic relationships because it has the ability to manage conflicts and has an impact on individual’s well-being. However, forgiveness can be influenced by individual personality traits and social cognitive skills. Hereby, the current study analysed forgiveness on romantic relationships based on personality traits (agreeableness and neuroticism) and social cognitive skills (cognitive flexibility, self-reflection and insight). The recent study had a sample of 268 (140 female, 128 male) Turkish speaking university students. The participants completed Big Five Inventory, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Self- Reflection/Insight Scale and Marital Forgiveness Scale. It was predicted that agreeable individuals would show high forgiveness levels whereas individuals with high neuroticism would show low forgiveness levels. Increased cognitive flexibility, self-reflection and insightfulness predicted high forgiveness levels. Also, it was hypothesized that female participants would show higher forgiveness levels than males. However, findings of the current study yielded no gender difference on forgiveness levels. Furthermore, agreeable individuals pointed high forgiveness levels for both genders. In contrast, neuroticism marginally predicted low forgiveness levels for female participants. Among social cognitive skills, only cognitive flexibility predicted forgiveness levels among female participants. On the other hand, social cognitive skills did not predict forgiveness among male participants. Findings were discussed in accordance with socialization and young adulthood.
Individual and Group Processes as Predictors of Transphobic Attitudes
This research investigated individual and group processes as predictors of transphobic attitudes among both females and males in northern part of Cyprus. Factors that were tested included the roles of contact, ambivalent sexism with its two components as hostile sexism and benevolent sexism, homophobia and social dominance orientation. The sample consisted of 148 (96 women, 51 men) Turkish speaking participants, aged between 18-25 years (M = 20.29, SD = 2.38). Participants completed self-report measures of intergroup contact, ambivalent sexism, homophobic attitudes and social dominance orientation, genderism and transphobia scale. Results of the study showed that transphobia was positively related with a benevolent and hostile sexism, homophobic attitudes, social dominance orientation and transphobia. As expected, transphobia was found to be negatively correlated with intergroup contact. In terms of gender difference, it was found that men‟s scores were higher than women in transphobia, hostile sexism, homophobia and social dominance whereas women‟s scores were significantly higher than men on intergroup contact. No significant differences between men and women were obtained for benevolent sexism. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that intergroup contact, hostile sexism and homophobia were all found to predict transphobic attitudes. In light of the findings, results were discussed in terms of reducing negative transphobic attitudes by developing intervention programs that can tackle homophobic attitudes and traditional gender ideologies in order to ameliorate discriminatory attitudes toward transgender individuals and improve their well-being.
The Role of Social and Cultural Ideals on Body Self-Esteem and Dissatisfaction in Young and Middle Adulthood Periods
Body dissatisfaction can occur at any stage of our lives and media plays an important role in influencing it in today`s world. Most of research was conducted with adolescents and therefore body dissatisfaction in young and middle adulthood periods remain a neglected area. This study aims to explore how the media and gender influence adults` level of body dissatisfaction, body esteem, self-esteem and the internalization of sociocultural ideals. The sample consisted of 195 Turkish speaking participants (99 Male and 96 Female; Mean Age: 35.16, SD: 11.94) who were randomly divided into two groups as experimental and control group. The experimental group were exposed to images that emphasized sociocultural ideals and videos whereas the control group were exposed to neutral images and non-appearance video. Then, they were administered a self-report questionnaire made up of a demographic information form, Body Dissatisfaction Subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Body Esteem Scale and Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire. A significant effect of experimental manipulation and gender on each dependent variable (body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, body esteem and internalizaton) was obtained. In other words, results showed participants in experimental group reported lower level of body satisfaction, body esteem and higher level of internalization compare to control group. Additionally, women reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction, internalization and lower levels of self-esteem and body esteem compared to men. Besides, a significant interaction of group and gender was obtained on body dissatisfaction where women in the experimental group had higher level of body dissatistifaction then the women in the control group. In addition to this, women had higher level of body dissatisfaction than men in both conditions. However, any other significant interaction between group and gender was not found on the other dependent measures. Based on the present results, necessary interventions to reduce media effect were discussed in order to decrease the level of body dissatisfaction, internalization, body esteem and to increase self-esteem and encourage positive body image in both men and women. Keywords: Body dissatisfaction, Self-esteem, Body esteem, Internalization of socicocultural ideals, Gender, Experimental Manipulation
The Role of Masculinity/Femininity Discrepancy Stress and Ambivalent Sexism on Controlling Behaviors in Young Adult’s Romantic Relationship
The traditional gender roles and the stress experienced by individuals who feel they are not suitable for these roles can be an important variable in romantic relationships. The control behavior of partners may trigger physical, psychological or sexual violence. The current study was conducted to analyze control behaviors toward partner and control behaviors by partners based on ambivalent sexism (hostile and benevolent sexism), male role norms, femininity/masculinity discrepancy and femininity/masculinity discrepancy stress. A sample of 194 Turkish speaking university students (102 female, 92 male) in Eastern Mediterranean University completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, Male Role Norm Scale, Gender Role Discrepancy and Discrepancy Stress Scale and The Controlling Behaviors Scale. It was hypothesized that men would report higher controlling behaviors in their romantic relationships as well as higher hostile sexism and greater endorsement of masculinity norms compared to women; whereas women would endorse benevolent sexism as much as men. Additionally, male young adults high in ambivalent sexism and masculinity discrepancy stress were expected to show more controlling behaviors in their romantic relationships. Lastly, it was expected that female young adults high in ambivalent sexism and femininity discrepancy stress would also show more controlling behaviors toward their romantic partners. Finding of the study showed that there were no gender differences on control behaviors toward partner and by partner. Also, it was found that reciprocal control behaviors by partner were very high. Men were found to score high in hostile sexism. Women and men were equal in their benevolent sexism scores. Additionally, men endorsed male masculinity role norms more than women. Correlational analyses showed that women and men who endorse benevolent sexism and femininity/masculinity discrepancy stress tended to control their partner more. The implications of the findings for university counseling centers and training young adults to recognize signs of controlling behaviors as a source of violence in romantic relationships is further discussed. Keywords: Ambivalent Sexism, Male Role Norms, Control Behaviors, Romantic Relationships, Gender Discrepancy Stress