Exploring cyber dating violence among emerging adults in terms of dating myths, relationship decision making, partner acceptance

Developments in information and communications technologies can be effective in all areas of life as well as in human relations. Social media applications, online platforms and mobile phones can affect individuals' relationships and decision-making behaviors. Especially cyber dating violence experienced here can be effective in the decisions that individuals will take in their future lives. For this reason, it is important to examine cyber dating violence in terms of dating violence myths, relationship decision-making and partner acceptance/rejection. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the role of dating violence myths, relationship decision-making and partner acceptance level variables that may be effective in cyber dating violence in emerging adulthood. Within the scope of the study, an analysis was conducted with the data collected from a total of 310 (227 female and 83 male) university student emerging adults. Personal Information Form, Romantic Partner Acceptance Rejection Scale, Myths of Dating Violence Scale, Cyber Dating Abuse Scale and Relationship Decision Making Scale were selected as data collection tools. SPSS 27 statistical package program was used to analyze the data. Before the regression analyses, Pearson Correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between the variables. Finally, multiple linear regression analyses were conducted by controlling gender and age variables to determine whether romantic partner acceptance, dating violence myths and relationship decision making are predictors of cyber dating violence perpetrated and experienced. The results show that dating violence myths and romantic partner acceptance level are significant predictors of both perpetrated and experienced cyber dating violence, while relationship decision-making does not predict cyber dating violence.