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Emotional Dependency and Dysfunctional Relationship Beliefs as Predictors of Married Turkish Individuals’ Relationship Satisfaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2016

Gülşah Kemer ,
Evrim Çetinkaya Yıldız  and
Gökçe Bulgan
Gülşah Kemer*
Affiliation:
Old Dominion University (USA)
Evrim Çetinkaya Yıldız
Affiliation:
Erciyes University (Turkey)
Gökçe Bulgan
Affiliation:
MEF University (Turkey)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Gülşah Kemer. Assistant Professor. Counseling and Human Services. Darden School of Education. Old Dominion University. 110. Education Building. 23529. Norfolk (USA). Phone: +1–7576833225. E-mail: gkemer@odu.edu
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Abstract

In this study, we examined married individuals’ relationship satisfaction in relation to their emotional dependency and dysfunctional relationship beliefs. Our participants consisted of 203 female and 181 male, a total of 384 married individuals from urban cities of Turkey. Controlling the effects of gender and length of marriage, we performed a hierarchical regression analysis. Results revealed that married Turkish individuals’ relationship satisfaction was significantly explained by their emotional dependency (sr2 = .300, p < .001), and perceptions of interpersonal rejection (sr2 = .075, p < .001) and unrealistic relationship expectations (sr2 = .028, p < .001). However, interpersonal misperception did not make a significant contribution to the participants’ relationship satisfaction (p > .05). When compared to perceptions of interpersonal rejection and unrealistic relationship expectations, emotional dependency had the largest role in explaining participants’ satisfaction with their marriages. We discuss the results in light of current literature as well as cultural relevance. We also provide implications for future research and mental health practices.

Keywords

dysfunctional relationship beliefsemotional dependencymarriagerelationship satisfaction
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 19 , 2016 , E72
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2016 

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