Theses supervised by Doç. Dr. Ilgın Gökler Danışman
13 theses · TED University
The mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and metacognition in the relationship between terrorism and community violence related risk appraisals and psychological symptomatology
The purpose of the present study was to examine the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and metacognition in the relationship between terrorism and community violence related risk appraisals and psychological symptomatology. Brief Symptom Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Brief Form, Terror Risk Perception Questionnaire and Metacognition Questionnaire were used to collect data from university students (between 18-23 years old) who have been living in Ankara at least 3 years. The results of multiple mediation models indicated that risk appraisals towards terrorist attacks and community violence incidents may lead to difficulties in emotion regulation and to use of unhelpful metacognitive functions that may also lead to disrupting psychological functioning in the youth population. The findings of the present study have clinical and psychosocial implications. In clinical implications, cognitive and emotional skills of youth would be supported by working on emotion regulation and metacognitive functions. In psychosocial implications, youths' the sense of control and safety would be improved by community-based interventions and policies.
The mediating role of event-related houseld discussions in the relationship between family factors and psychological adjustment in children and adolescents exposed to terrorism and community violence
The main objective of the study was to test the mediating role of event-related household discussions in the relationship between family factors (family functioning and parental mental health) and developing internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in children and adolescents after controlling for exposure to terrorism and community violence events. With this aim a total of 129 children and adolescents ages between 11-18 years and their parents who exposed to terrorist attacks and July 15, 2016 coup attempt and related community violence events took place in Ankara in the last 1.5 years were recruited in the study. Data were gathered through self-report measurement tools. Results indicated that father's and mother's mental health and family functioning predicts internalizing and externalizing problems of children and adolescents. It was also revealed that both father's and mother's mental health and family functioning influence the quality of the event-related household discussion hold between parent and their children after traumatic event exposure. Regardless of the effects of event-related household discussion, family functioning directly influences the internalizing and externalizing behavior problems of children and adolescents. The main finding of the study is that event-related household discussion mediates the relationship for parental mental health and internalizing behavioral problems but does not mediate the relationship for parental mental health and externalizing behavioral problems of children and adolescents. The study provides useful framework for clinicians in terms of the importance of adopting comprehensive approach for treatment of psychological adjustment of children and adolescent and effectiveness of household discussions conducted between parents and their children after traumatic events.
An investigation into the effects of mood and autobiographical memory on risk appraisal in adolescents
Risk-taking behaviors and identity is two of the biggest concerns in adolescence and emerging adulthood. In the current study, risk-taking behaviors were focused in the frame of self-concept which is a crucial part of identity. The primary aim of the study was to investigate both direct relationship of the positive and negative self-concept via self-defining memories (SDM) on risk-taking behaviors and indirectly through risk appraisal while the mood after recalling these memories moderating these two relationships. Beside of the main aim, there were few research questions that the study investigated. The present study investigated predictive roles of sensation-seeking and impulsivity on risk-taking. Moreover, the differences between positive and negative SDMs in terms of phenomenological characteristics and the emotions were other research questions that were focused. The data was collected from 113 students whose age range was between 17 and 23 from different universities in Ankara, Turkey. The results showed that there is no relationship between SDM and risk-taking either directly or indirectly through risk appraisal. Moreover, the study did not find any relationship between mood and risk-taking. For research questions, the results showed that sensation-seeking is a better predictor than impulsivity. Furthermore, results showed that there are several differences between positive and negative SDM both in terms of phenomenological characteristics and emotions.
An investigation into the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and romantic dissolution grief in youth: A mixed method study
The main purpose of the present study was to investigate how early maladaptive schemas and emotion regulation difficulties influence the grief processes of young individuals who have experienced romantic relationship dissolution. In this research, a mixed method study was employed, and the quantitative and the qualitative study were conducted respectively. In the quantitative study, Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form Version 3, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Brief Form, and the revised version of Texas Inventory of Grief were used to collect data from 206 participants in late adolescence (between 18-22 years old)who experienced a romantic breakup for at least 1 month and at most 1 year. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that the emotion regulation difficulties significantly mediated the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (the domains of disconnectionrejection, impaired autonomy/other directedness, impaired limits/exaggerated standards) and romantic dissolution grief. In the qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 participants (from different schema domains) in the quantitative study, and data was analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five superordinate themes were identified, which were adverse effects of the breakup, perceived losses, grief process following the breakup, coping strategies, and positive changes and personal growth. The results of the qualitative study displayed that there were some similarities between the general grief literature and the romantic dissolution grief. Keywords: Early Maladaptive Schemas, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Romantic Dissolution Grief
An investigation of the subjective experiences of expectant couples with prior perinatal loss:A qualitative study
The main purpose of this study was to deeply examine the grief in breaved couples following a perinatal loss in the first pregnany and their experiences during the subsequent pregnancy. For this purpose a qualitative study based on grounded theory method was conducted. Six expectant couples with a history of perinal loss were interviewed in order to explore about their experiences related to perinatal loss and current pregnancy. A semi-structured interview form consisting of 24 questions prepared by the researcher was used and the spouses were interviewed together. The transcribed data analyzed and five main themes, subthemes and a core category were identified. The main themes were appeared as First fime pregnancy: Towards a transition to parenthood", "Traumatic incident of loss: Interrupted Transition", "The period of coping with loss", "Recommense", "Resolving grief and awaiting baby" and "Cultural context characterised by permeable boundaries: Intrusiveness and support"; and the core category was identified as "Transition-Interruption-Equilibrium- Retransition ". The findings of the study were discussed within the framework of grief literature. In addition, implications for perinatal grief counseling and directions for future studies were presented.
Family grief in case of unexpected loss due to work accident: A qualitative study
The present study aims to explore grief in families one of whose members died due to work accident. Particularly, this study aims to explore the relation of the bereaved families with the social justice system. The grounded theory method and a qualitative research design were used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten families who have suffered the loss of a family member due to work accident. Three themes emerged: (1) factors potentially complicating the grief process, (2) family grief dynamics: A shift in family structure and organization, and (3) the family within and as an active agent of the social justice system. For the families who lost a member due to a work accident, grief is often complicated with the tasks of seeking acknowledgement of the loss and justice. Individual or family level grief counseling seems insufficient for those cases. Results were discussed in the light of existing literature by stressing the importance of the contextual factors in grief process.
What do mothers of gay youth experience? a qualitative study
The main aim of the current study was examining parental experiences and the changes in the family system after young people who define themselves as gay explaining their sexual orientation to their parents in depth. A qualitative study was conducted to achieve this goal. The study sample consists of the mothers of six young people who define their sexual orientation as gay. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the mothers and the obtained data were analyzed with Grounded Theory. As a result of the analyses, the experiences of the mothers were gathered under three main themes. These are (1) pre-coming out experiences, (2) experiences during coming out, and (3) post-coming out experiences, respectively. These themes and the sub-themes they cover were compared with the findings in the literature and discussed from a system perspective.
The role of intergenerational transmission on the decision-making process of voluntary childlessness
The current study aims to investigate how intergenerational transmission has a role in the decision-making process of voluntary childlessness. The lived experiences of married Turkish couples were assessed through qualitative research. Genogram was used as an assessment tool to examine the role of intergenerational transmission. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with thirteen married couples, three of whom are living abroad. Data collection, analyses, and theory building were conducted based on grounded theory to assess processes. According to analyses done using MAXODA, three major categories has emerged which are (a) Family factors as a source of repetitive scenarios, (b) Intergenerational discontinuity: Breaking the social norm of child-centered living as changed scenarios and (c) Having a child in the modern world is a decision that needs serious consideration. To conclude, intergenerational transmission and discontinuity affect the decision-making process of being voluntary childless through the ways of physical/psychological and genetic factors, values, parenting strategies, early childhood experiences, and societal norms.
Investigating the role of family-of-origin risk factors in the prediction of current intimate partner violence: Testing a proposed model based on object relations theory
The study aimed to propose and test a developmental model that explains the familial basis of intimate partner violence through object relations theory. In the proposed theoretical model, it was expected that the variables of family unpredictability, negative parenting attitudes, and interparental violence would predict violence in the current romantic relationship through object relations. The sample consisted of 352 individuals aged between 18-25 and having a romantic relationship that had been going on for at least one year. Participants were recruited through the convenience sampling method. Data were collected online. To measure the variables in the proposed model, the participants completed a scale set consisting of Retrospective Family Unpredictability Scale (Retro-FUS), Short EMBU-Children Form (S-EMBU-C), The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS 2), and Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI). Analyzes were carried out using the SPSS AMOS program to test whether the proposed theoretical model confirmed by the collected data. The results revealed that each of the variables of family unpredictability, negative parenting attitudes, and interparental violence positively predicted the current partner violence through object relations. In other words, the proposed model was confirmed by the collected data. These findings present empirical support for the crucial role of childhood family environment in shaping individuals' object relations, which in turn shed light on one of the underlying mechanisms of intimate partner violence.
Examining the reflections of childhood exposure to political violence on adulthood psychological health in terms of social-ecological variables
The present study investigated the relationship between childhood political violence and current psychological health based on social-ecological theory. For this purpose, two parallel mediation models were tested in the study. In the first model, it was expected that family protective factors and immediate social support in childhood would mediate the relationship between childhood exposure to political violence and the current psychological health. Similarly, in the second model, it was expected that social trust and trust in institutions would mediate the relationship between childhood exposure to political violence and the current psychological health after controlling for family protective factors and immediate social support in childhood. The study sample consisted of 406 adults between the ages of 18-65. Data collection was carried out online, and the convenient sampling method was used to recruit participants. Participants completed the Political Violence Exposure Checklist, Brief Symptom Inventory, Family Protective Factors Inventory, Social Support Appraisals Scale for Children, Social Safeness and Pleasure Scale, and Trust in Institutions Scale during the study. As a result of parallel mediation analyses using SPSS PROCESS macro, all hypotheses put forward in the study were confirmed with the available data. In other words, the study provided an explanation for the influence mechanisms on the relationship between childhood political violence and current psychological health, both at the microsystem level and the more distal ecological levels. Lastly, theoretical and clinical implications were presented in relation to the study's findings employing Bronfenbrenner's social ecology theory.
The relationship between parental differentiation of self and internalizing and externalizing problems in Turkish adolescents: The mediator roles of family functioning and adolescents' differentiation of self
The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between parental differentiation of self and adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems through the mediating roles of family functioning and adolescents' own self-differentiation level using two models. The proposed models hypothesized that high levels of maternal and paternal self-differentiation would lead to improved family functioning, which would in turn predict higher levels of self-differentiation in adolescents and subsequently lower levels of internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents. The participants were 201 adolescents between the ages of 14-18 and their parents. Data was collected from high schools with the permission of Ministry of National Education. While parents completed Revised Version of Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI-R) and Family Assessment Device(FAD) measures, adolescents completed Revised Version of Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI-R) and Family Assessment Device(FAD) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire(SDQ). The data was analyzed with Serial Multiple Mediation Analysis in SPSS. The results indicated that family functioning and adolescents' self-differentiation level mediated the relationship between maternal and paternal self- differentiation; and adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems. The proposed mediation models were approved by the results of the study. When the differences between female and male adolescents were analyzed, the results indicated the relationship between maternal and female adolescents' differentiation of self and the relationship between family functioning and female adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems were among the significant findings. These findings demonstrate the significance of parental differentiation of self, family functions and to what extent adolescents are differentiated in terms of psychological difficulties observed during adolescence.
Investigating the effects of boundary ambiguity and parentification on youth's symptomatology and attitudes and expectations about future in divorced families
In the current study, it was aimed to examine the mediator roles of subdimensions of parentification in the relationship between family boundary ambiguity and youth's psychological symptomatology and their attitudes and expectations toward future. In the first part of the study, Boundary Ambiguity Scale for Adolescents and Adult Children of Divorce which is developed to measure the boundary ambiguity level of adolescents and adult children of divorced families adapted to Turkish and pyschometric properties were examined. Also, Emotional Parentification Questionnaire which is developed to measure emotional parentification level adapted to Turkish and psychometric properties were examined. Accordingly, 242 participants,18-25 ages, replied Demographic Information Form, Boundary Ambiguity Scale for Adolescents and Adult Children of Divorce, Inventory of Family Protective Factors, Emotional Parentification Questionnaire, Parentification Inventory via internet.Analyzes were carried out using the SPSS and EQS.After the scale adaptation process was completed, in the second part of the study, it was examined the mediator roles of subdimensions of parentification in the relationship between family boundary ambiguity and two dependent variables: psychological symptomatology, attitudes and expectations toward future. 96 participants whose parents were divorced between the 18-22 ages answered the Demographic Information Form, Boundary Ambiguity Scale for Adolescents and Adult Children of Divorce, Emotional Parentification Questionnaire, Parentification Inventory, Positive Future Expectations Scale, Attitudes Toward Future Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory via internet. Analyzes were conducted using the PROCESS Macro v4. Research findings did not confirm the mediator roles of subtypes of parentification.However, when the predicton of the variables were examined, it was observed that while boundary ambiguity in divorced families significantly positively predicted parent-focused parentifiation, sibling-focused parentification and early emotional maturation, it significantly predicted positive future expectations and positive attitudes toward future in negative direction. Moreover, while perceived benefits from parentification significantly positively predicted positive future expectations and positive attitudes toward future, it significantly negatively correlated psychological symptomatology. Keywords: Family Boundary Ambiguity, Parentification, Psychological Symptomatology, Attiudes and Expectations toward Future
COVID-19 pandemisinin çocuklar üzerindeki psikolojik etkileri: Bioekolojik perspektiften bir inceleme
The current study aimed to examine the emotional and behavioral effects of the pandemic on children from the framework of bioecological theory. According to Bronfenbrenner's model, the study examined how the child's emotion regulation ability, which is individual differences, family protective factors in the microsystem and school-family relations in the mesosystem affect the child's emotional and behavioral problems during COVID-19. Two models were used: the first model examined the problems that existed before the pandemic and the second model examined the problems caused by the pandemic. It was predicted the effect of variables would increase as we move away from the child's distant environment, and all factors would negatively predict children's problems. 238 mothers with children aged between 4-11 years participated as informants for their children. Informants were asked to complete the Emotion Regulation Scale, Family Protective Factors Questionnaire, School Interaction Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Parental Perception of the Emotional and Behavioral Effects of the Quarantine on Their Children in the online platform. According to the results of the study using hierarchical regression analysis, only emotion regulation predicted the problems that existed before the pandemic in model 1. In model 2, emotion regulation and family protective factors negatively predicted pandemic-related problems. School-family interaction did not have any effect on children's problems. The findings obtained provide important data on the effects and mechanisms of individual differences and environmental factors on problems that may arise in children especially in times of crisis and disasters.