Abstract:

This descriptive study examines the degree to which psychological variables (self-esteem, attachment related avoidance, attachment related anxiety and academic success) and demographic variables (age, gender, relationship duration, and parents’ relational status) predict university students’ experiences of abuse in romantic relationships. The sample composed of 411 (280 female, 131 male) students studying in a state university, faculty of education in 2011-2012 spring term. Throughout the study three different scales have been utilized: Romantic Relationship Assessment Inventory developed by the researchers to assess the abuse which university students perceive in their romantic relationships, Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory-II was used to investigate dimensions of attachment, Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale was used to measure self-esteem. A Personal Information Form developed by the researchers was used to gather students’ socio- demographic information. Step-wise regression analysis was used to determine the degrees to which demographic and psychological variables predicted abuse in a romantic relationships. Step-wise regression analyses showed that of the variables in the first model only self-esteem significantly predicted abuse experienced in romantic relationships. In the second model, self-esteem, the attachment related avoidance, relationship duration, age and gender were significant predictors of abuse experienced in romantic relationships. Results and implications for future research and psychological counselors were discussed

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