Relationship abuse in young adults: Early maladaptive schemas and perception of gender role

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between young adults' perceived romantic relationship abuse and early maladaptive schemas and perceptions of gender roles. The research was carried out in relational screening model. The research group consists of 477 young adults between the ages of 18-35 living in Ankara. The study group was reached through online platforms using convenient sampling method. In the research, Young Schema Scale Short Form-3, Gender Formation Scale, Romantic Relationship Evaluation Scale Revised Form and Personal Information Form were used as data collection tools. Analyzes were made with the SPSS 22.0 program. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine whether early maladaptive schemas and perception of gender roles predict abuse victimization in romantic relationships. Among the early maladaptive schemas, emotional deprivation and enmeshment/dependence schemas were found to be associated with higher levels of romantic relationship abuse victimization. While there is a negative significant relationship between young adults' perception of egalitarian gender roles and the level of abuse they perceive in their romantic relationships; a positive and significant relationship was found between the levels of abuse perceived in romantic relationships by young adults with traditional perceptions of gender roles. In the study, independent groups t-test was used to examine whether there is a difference between romantic relationship abuse and gender, exposure and witnessingto domestic violence variables. Significant relationships were found between the variables determined as a result of the study and the victimization of romantic relationship abuse. The findings were discussed within the framework of the literature; Suggestions were made for field workers, researchers and policy makers.