The predictive role of cyber dating abuse on relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships

The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of cyber dating abuse experienced by university students on their relationship satisfaction through a multidimensional approach. Cyber dating abuse was conceptualized across four subdimensions: direct aggression (victimization and perpetration) and monitoring-control (victimization and perpetration). Focusing on relationship satisfaction, the study holistically evaluated the psychological impact of digital psychological violence on individuals' relational well-being. Employing a quantitative relational screening model, the sample consisted of 550 university students enrolled at Osmaniye Korkut Ata University during the 2023–2024 academic year fall semester, all engaged in a romantic relationship lasting at least six months. Sampling combined purposive and convenience techniques. Data were collected via a Personal Information Form, the Cyber Dating Abuse Questionnaire (CDAQ), and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) through face-to-face survey administration. Analyses included Pearson correlation to assess inter-variable relationships, followed by standard multiple regression and hierarchical multiple regression to evaluate the predictive power of cyber dating abuse subdimensions on relationship satisfaction. Hierarchical regression models introduced monitoring-control behaviors (perpetration and victimization) first, followed by direct aggression subdimensions (victimization and perpetration), assessing model explanatory changes at each step. Findings revealed significant negative correlations between cyber dating abuse subdimensions and relationship satisfaction. Both direct aggression and monitoring-control dimensions negatively predicted relationship satisfaction, with the perpetration of direct aggression emerging as the strongest predictor. Monitoring-control behaviors contributed incrementally to the model's explanatory power. These results highlight the importance of separately and collectively considering the differential effects of cyber dating abuse subtypes on relationship satisfaction.