Keywords
Body Image
Cognitive Distortions
Married Women
Mediation
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: Domestic violence is a significant problem with legal, psychological, and social dimensions that threatens the physical and mental integrity of women. This study aimed to examine the relationships between exposure to domestic violence, body image, and cognitive distortions among married women, and to evaluate the mediating role of cognitive distortions in the relationship between domestic violence and body image.
Methods: The study employed a quantitative design and a correlational survey model. The sample consisted of 501 married women aged 18 years and older, residing in Türkiye, who were literate, had internet access, and voluntarily participated. Data were collected online via Google Forms. Participants completed the Domestic Violence Against Women Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale, and the Cognitive Distortion Scale. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, and the mediating role of cognitive distortions was examined using mediation analysis conducted with Hayes PROCESS Macro (Model 4).
Results: Exposure to domestic violence was negatively associated with body appreciation and positively associated with cognitive distortions. Cognitive distortions were negatively associated with body appreciation. Mediation analysis indicated that cognitive distortions partially mediated the relationship between domestic violence and body appreciation.
Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate a significant negative relationship between exposure to domestic violence and body appreciation among married women. Additionally, cognitive distortions may play a partial mediating role in this relationship. These findings suggest that addressing cognitive processes in intervention and support programs for women who have experienced domestic violence may be beneficial.
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