A meta-analysi̇s study on the effect of gender factor on attachment styles and loneli̇ness

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine whether the gender factor has an effect on university students' attachment styles and loneliness levels or not by meta-analysis. Method: The data obtained in the study was analyzed by using the meta-analysis method. Within the scope of the research, 27 articles and theses produced between 1990 and 2017 have been taken in accordance with the purpose and limitations of the research. The effect size in the research, significance and heterogenity values were calculated by using MEDCALC meta-analysis program. Findings: There were 30 articles in the study, including attachment styles and loneliness according to gender, number of people, average scores and standard deviation scores. According to results of meta-analysis, it was found that gender had an effect on secure attachment, fearful attachment, and obsessive attachment styles, whereas it was found that there was no gender effect on the indifferent attachment style. Men's secure attachment and obsessive attachment styles are significantly different from women's. Women's fearful attachment style was found to be significantly different from men's. It has also been found that gender affects loneliness. Loneliness in men was found to be significantly different from that in women. Discussion and Conclusion: In this regard, the whole of Turkey-based studies were taken into meta-analysis by scanning. Based on the results obtained, the attachment styles of the gender factor and the effect on loneliness have been discussed. It was found that gender factor had effect on the the formation of secure attachment, fearful attachment, obsessive attachment and loneliness. There is a significant difference between men and women regarding safe attachment, fearful attachment, obsessive attachment and loneliness. It has been found that there is no gender effect on the formation of the indifferent attachment style. In line with the limitations of the work, an agenda was set up for further research.