Examining the effects of gender roles and self-esteem on relationship satisfaction on adult women

Objective: The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between gender role, self-esteem and relationship satisfaction level. Method: The sample includes a total of 356 participants with in relationship and over the age 19, who voluntereed to participate using Google online survey system. All participants were applied Socio-demographic Characteristics and Data Form, BEM Gender Role Inventory, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory and The Investment Model Scale/ Satisfaction Level. According to BEM Gender Role Inventory score, participants splitted up 4 groups: Female, masculine, androgen, undifferentiated. Results: The results of the analysis show that "androgen" and "masculine" women's self-esteem levels are higher than "feminine" and "undifferentiated" women's self-esteem levels (p<,05). In addition, "androgen" and "feminine" women's relationship satisfaction levels are higher than "undifferentiated" women's relationship satisfaction levels. Also, there is a negative significant correlation between self-esteem and relationship satisfaction levels (p<,05). (According to Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, high score mean is low self-esteem level, low score is high self-esteem.) Conclusion: In the context of these findings, if women have high "feminine" and "masculine" characteristics, their self-esteem and relationship satisfaction are getting higher. "Masculine" characteristics are important for self-esteem and "feminine" characteristics are important for relationship satisfaction. If women have low "feminine" and "masculine" characteristics, their self-esteem and relationship satisfaction are getting lower. Key words: gender role, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction