The Roles of Traditional Gender Myths and Beliefs About Beating on Self-Reported Partner Violence

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the roles of beliefs about beating, traditional gender myth endorsement, ambivalent sexism, and perceived partner violence in determining an individual’s own reported violence toward his or her partner. The sample consisted of 205 (117 women; 88 men) Turkish and Turkish Cypriot undergraduate students, aged between 16 and 29 years. Participants completed measures of beliefs about beating, traditional gender myth endorsement, and ambivalent sexism and rated the extent to which they experienced abusive behaviors from their partner as well as the extent to which they were themselves abusive to their partners. Results showed that positive beliefs about beating, endorsing traditional gender myths, and experiencing partner abuse were all predictive of self-reported abuse to one’s partner. Furthermore, the relationship between myth endorsement and self-abusive behavior was mediated by beliefs toward beating—only in men. Results are discussed in light of the traditional gender system evident in Turkish societal makeup.