Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior
Open Access

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: This study was planned to determine relationship between university students' attitudes towards gender equality and dating violence. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Study was conducted with 310 students who were studied in a nursing department of university, agreed to participate study from April-May 2017. In this descriptive-analytical type study, Personal Information Form, Dating Violence Scale (DVS), Gender Equality Scale (GES) were used as data collection tools. In analysis, descriptive statistics, nonparametric, correlation analyses were used. Findings: 62.3% of the students were female, 96.1% were single, 26.8% were the first year, the average age was 20.94�?�?�?±1.91. It was determined 75.4% of young ones came Mediterranean region, the majority of their parents had education level as a primary school and they had a moderate level of income. GES and subscale (traditional, equality sex) averages of students were 50.6�?�?�?±0.6, 42.7�?�?�?±6.1, 7.9 �?�?�?± 1.3. There was no statistically significant difference between means of GES according to marital status, place of birth, mother education level and family income level (p>0.05). It was determined means of GES were statistically significantly different according to gender, class and father's educational status. GES scores of female students, fourth-year students, and students who had fathers with university degrees were higher than those of others (p<0.05). In the study, mean of DVS and subscales (general, physical, emotional, economic, sexual violence) were 4.2�?�?�?±0.4, 4.5�?�?�?±0.5, 4.3�?�?�?±0.7, 4.0�?�?�?±0.6, 3.8�?�?�?±0.9, 4.4�?�?�?±0.6. A statistically significant difference was found between means of DVS scores according to gender, father education level of students (p<0.05). As students' perception of gender equality increased, their attitudes which didn�?¢�?�?�?�?t support dating violence increased (p<0.01). Conclusion & Significance: It was determined students had moderate levels of gender equality perception, they didn�?¢�?�?�?�?t support dating violence. Students' awareness can be raised via trainings on gender roles and prevention of sex-based violence.

Biography

Nevin Uslu has completed her master's degree and doctorate in Erciyes University Pediatric Nursing Department. She conducts researches adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and obese in child endocrinology. She is interested in child psychology. She has also handle with abuse/violence, stress management, problem solving and hope in her researches. She is currently pursuing as an assistant professor in Mehmet Akif Ersoy University.