The relationship between dating violence, internalized shame and self-esteem

This study aimed to examine the relationship between internalized shame, self-esteem and dating violence. Another aim of the study was to examine gender differences in dating violence and the frequency of dating violence. The sample of the study consisted of 311 participants aged 18 years and over, who had been in a romantic relationship before and were single. The data were collected through online questionnaires completed by the participants themselves. Demographic Information Form, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Conflict Methods Scale-Revised Form (CMS-R), and Internalized Shame Scale (IHS) were used. Spearman Correlation Analysis, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis statistical methods were used in the study. According to the findings of the study, there was no significant correlation between internalized shame and the sub-dimensions of victimization and perpetration to sexual dating violence, but it was found to be associated with all other sub-dimensions. Self-esteem was found to be associated with the sub-dimension of perpetrating sexual violence, while no significant relationship was found with the other sub-dimensions. According to the other findings of the study, it was found that the sub-dimensions of perpetrating psychological and physical dating violence and being exposed to physical and sexual dating violence differed according to gender. In addition, it was found that the sub-dimension of physical dating violence victimization differed according to internalized shame. The findings of the study were discussed within the framework of the relevant literature. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future studies are included in the related section.