Examining the mediating role of cognitive distortions in the relationship between victimization of dating violence and life satisfaction in young adults

In this study, the mediating role of cognitive distortions in the relationship between victimization of dating violence and life satisfaction in young adults was examined. The sample of study comprised 509 people who were between 18-35 years, had or are currently in a dating relationship and unmarried. Personal Information Forms, Romantic Relationship Assessment Scale, Cognitive Distortion Scale and Adult Life Satisfaction Scale were presented to all participants in the online environment. SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 20.0 programs were used for research analysis. In the analysis results of the research, it was found that victimization of dating violence predicted life satisfaction, cognitive distortions predicted victimization of dating violence and cognitive distortions predicted life satisfaction. It has determined that cognitive distortions played a mediating role in the relationship between victimization of dating violence and life satisfaction. In addition, it has been concluded that victimization of dating violence is more common in women and people with low socioeconomic status, life satisfaction is more common in people with university/master's/doctorate degrees, and cognitive distortions are more common in people with low socioeconomic status. In addition, it was found that 88.6% of the participants were aware of the violence they experienced, but 11.4% of the participants were not aware of this violence. In addition, it was observed that 59.1% of the participants received feedback from their social circle that they had experienced dating violence, but only 39.1% of the participants received social support for dating violence. Finally, it was found that 87% of the participants had never participated in awareness programs such as training and seminars on dating violence.