The predictive role of sexual myths, self-confidence and lifesatisfaction in dating violence in young adults

Dating violence, in the most general sense, is defined as physically or psychologically harming a partner using words and actions in a relationship where partners are not married to each other. In this research, the predictors of young adults' attitudes towards dating violence and the variables that differentiate their attitudes towards dating violence were examined. The sample of the study, which was designed in a descriptive and correlational survey model, consisted of 568 young adults determined by maximum variation sampling. As the data collection instruments of the research, Personal Information Form, Dating Violence Attitude Scale, Belief in Sexual Myths Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale and Self-Confidence Scale were used. The data of the study were analyzed using Multiple Linear Regression, Independent Groups t-Test and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The findings from the study showed that dating violence among young adults was predicted by believing in sexual myths, self-confidence, life satisfaction and gender (being male). The findings of this research also indicated that these young adults' attitudes towards dating violence differed significantly according to their gender, grade level and their mothers' educational status. On the other hand, it was observed that the participant's age, place of birth, and their fathers' educational status did not cause any difference in their attitudes towards dating violence.