The Mediating Role of Loneliness in the Relationship Between Gender Perception and Attitudes Toward Dating Violence Among University Students

Vollständiger Abstract

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Objective: This study aimed to determine the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between gender perception and attitudes toward dating violence among university students. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted with 335 students enrolled in the Health Services Vocational College of a public university in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Data were collected at June 14-28, 2024, using the Personal Information Form, Gender Perception Scale, Dating Violence Scale, and University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests were used for data analysis. The mediating effect of loneliness was tested using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro Model 4. Results: Positive gender perception was positively associated with disapproval (rh = 0.526; P < .001) of dating violence and negatively associated with loneliness (rh = −0.193; P < .001). Mediation analysis revealed that loneliness partially mediated the relationship between gender perception and attitudes toward dating violence. Mediation analysis revealed that loneliness partially mediated the relationship between gender perception and attitudes toward dating violence (β = 0.014; t = 10.620; P < .001; lower limit = 0.0119, upper limit = 0.0174). Conclusion: The findings indicate that attitudes toward dating violence among university students are shaped by both gender-based beliefs and emotional factors. More egalitarian gender perceptions are associated with lower loneliness and stronger disapproval of dating violence, highlighting the importance of addressing both gender equality and psy- chosocial well-being in dating violence prevention efforts. Cite this article as: Turan Z, Akcan K. The mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between gender perception and attitudes toward dating violence among university students. Arch Health Sci Res. 2026, 13, 0154, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2026.25154.