The mediator role of hopelessness in the relationship between the meaning attributed to marriage and loneliness

In this study, the meaning attributed to marriage was examined in terms of loneliness, hopelessness and some variables (gender, age, romantic relationship status). The study group of the research consists of 567 individuals, 348 women and 219 men. Data on meaning attributed to marriage "Meaning Attributed to Marriage Scale" (Özabacı et al., 2018), data on loneliness "UCLA Loneliness Scale Short Form" (Doğan et al., 2011), data on hopelessness "Beck Hopelessness Scale" (Seber, 1991). In line with the hypotheses of the research, the research data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation Analysis and Independent Groups t-Test, and whether hopelessness had a statistically significant mediating role in the relationship between the meaning attributed to marriage and loneliness was tested using an intermediary model. As a result of the research, it was found that there was a statistically significant relationship between the positive meaning attributed to marriage and negative meaning, loneliness and hopelessness, and a positive relationship between age and age. At the same time, in the mediator model tested, it was determined that hopelessness had a partial mediator role in the relationship between the positive and negative meaning attributed to marriage and loneliness. However, it was observed that the meaning attributed to marriage differed statistically significantly according to gender, and the positive meaning attributed to marriage was higher in women than in men; it was determined that the negative meaning was lower in women than in men. In addition, it was observed that loneliness and hopelessness differed significantly according to gender. Men's loneliness and hopelessness levels were found to be higher than women's. However, the positive meaning attributed to marriage differed statistically significantly according to the individual's romantic relationship status, and it was concluded that the positive meaning attributed to marriage was higher in individuals with a romantic relationship than in those who did not. The negative meaning, loneliness and hopelessness attributed to marriage did not differ significantly according to the individual's romantic relationship status. The findings were discussed in the context of the relevant literature. Keywords: Marriage, positive meaning attributed to marriage, negative meaning attributed to marriage, loneliness, hopelessness.