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Predictors of Fear of Intimacy among University Students

Year 2023, Volume: 2023 Issue: 20, 41 - 63, 29.03.2023
https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1218724

Abstract

The study, which aims to examine the association between fear of intimacy, irrational thoughts and alexithymia in university students, was carried out in a correlational design based on a quantitative research approach. To collect the data, Fear-of-Intimacy Scale (FIS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) were used. The data were analysed with SPSS software. Pearson Product Moments Correlation Coefficient was used to examine the associations among fear of intimacy, irrational thoughts and alexithymia. The result of correlation analysis showed that there is a statistically significant association between fear of intimacy and alexithymia. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to determine the original contribution of irrational thoughts and alexithymia in the explanation of fear of intimacy. In the first step, the predictive strength of irrational thoughts, need for approval, high expectations, tendency to blame and fear of intimacy were examined. The first regression model was significant and accounted for 6.8% of the total variance of fear of intimacy. It was determined that the tendency to blame and helplessness contributed significantly to the model. In the second step, alexithymia was added to the model with sub-dimensions. The second regression model was significant and accounted for 23.5% of the total variance of fear of intimacy. When the R2 change values were examined, the original contribution of the sub-dimensions of alexithymia to the total variance of fear of intimacy was 16.7%.

References

  • Apfel, R. J., & Sifneos, P. E. (1979). Alexithymia: Concept and measurement. Psychother Psychosom, 32(1-4), 180-190. http://doi.org/10.1159/000287386
  • Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D. A., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I item selection and cross validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(94)90005-1
  • Barış, E., & Çıkrıkçı, N. (2022, May 10-11). The effect of cognitive-based problem solving skills development psycho education program on university students' problem areas, interpersonal communication competence, and fear of intimacy [Paper presentation]. 4 thInternational Congress on Multidisciplinary Social Sciences (ICMUSS-2022), Ankara, Turkey.
  • Besharat, Am. A., Naghshineh, N., Ganji, P., & Tavalaeyan, F. (2014). The moderating role of attachment styles on the relationship of alexithymia and fear of intimacy with marital satisfaction. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 6(3), 106-117. http://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v6n3p106
  • Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research ( 4rd ed.). Pearson.
  • David, D., & Cramer, D. (2010). Rational and irrastional beliefs in human feelings and psychophysiology. In D. David, S. J. Lynn, & A. Ellis (Eds.). Rational and irrational beliefs research, theory and clinical perspective (pp. 99-114). ABD: Oxford University Press.
  • Deci, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Gagné, M., Leone, D. R., Usunov, J., & Kornazheva, B. P. (2001). Need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in the work organizations of a former eastern bloc country: A cross-cultural study of selfdetermination. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(8), 930-942.
  • Descutner, C. J., & Thelen, M. H. (1991). Development and validation of a Fear-of-Intimacy Scale. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 3(2), 218–225. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.3.2.218
  • Dhar, B. K., Ayittey, F. K., & Sarkar, S. M. (2020). Impact of Covid-19 on psychology among the university students. Global Challenges, 4, Article e2000038. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202000038
  • Elibol, Ş., & Tok, E. S. (2018). Yakınlık korkusu ölçeğinin Türkçe formunun geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [The Validity and Reliability Study of the Fear of Intimacy Scale’s Turkish Form].Yeni Symposium, 56(4), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.5455/NYS.20180905115324
  • Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. Lyle Stuart.
  • Ellis, A. (1993). Reflections on rational-emotive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61 (2), 199-201.
  • Ellis, A., & Harper, R. A. (1975). A new guide to rational living. Prentice-Hall.
  • Ellis, A., Abrams, M., & Abrams, L. D. (2008). Personality theories: Critical perspectives (1 st ed.). Sage Publication
  • Ellis, A., David, D. ve Lynn, S. J. (2010). Rational and irrastional beliefs: A historical and conceptual perspective. In D. David, S. J. Lynn & A. Ellis (Eds.), Rational and irrational beliefs research, theory and clinical perspective (pp. 3-22). ABD: Oxford University Press.
  • Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS (4th ed.). London: Sage Publications.
  • Firestone, R. W., & Catlett, J. (1999). Fear of intimacy. American Psychological Association
  • Goldfried, M. R., & Sobocinski, D. (1975). Effect of irrational beliefs on emotional arousal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(4), 504-510.
  • Güleç, H., Köse, S., Güleç, M. Y., Çitak, S., Evren, C., Borckardt, J., & Sayar, K. (2009). Reliability and factorial validity of the Turkish version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni, 19, 214- 220.
  • Haltfield, E. (1984). The dangers of intimacy. In V. J. Derlega (Ed.), Communication, intimacy, and close relationships (pp.207- 220). Academic Press.
  • Hamaideh, S. H., Al-Modallal, H., & Tanash, M. (2021). Depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students during COVID-19 outbreak and "home-quarantine". Nursing Open, 9, 1423- 1431. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.918
  • Ingersoll, S. T., Norvilitis, J. M., Zhang, J., Jia, S., & Tetewsky, S. (2008). Reliability and validity of the Fear of Intimacy Scale in China. Journal of Personality Assessment, 90(3), 270-279. http://doi.org/10.1080/00223890701885019
  • Jones, R. G. (1969). A factored measure of Ellis' irrational belief system with personality and maladjustment correlates [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Texas Technological College
  • Koriat, A. (2004). Metacognition research: An interim report. In Timothy J. Perfect & Bennett L. Schwartz (Eds.), Applied metacognition (pp.261-286). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Krystal, H. (1979). Alexithymia and psychotherapy. Amerıcan Journal Of Psychotherapy, 33(1), 17-31. http://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1979.33.1.17
  • Lesser, I. M. (1981). A review of the alexithymia concept. Psychosomatic Medicine, 43(6), 531-543. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198112000-00009
  • Lyvers, M., Pickett, L., Needham, K., & Thorberg, F. A. (2021). Alexithymia, fear of intimacy, and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Family Issues, 43(4), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X211010206
  • Martin, J. L., & Ashby, J. S. (2004). Perfectionism and fear of intimacy: Implications for relationships. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Famılies, 4(12), 368-374. http://doi.org/10.1177/1066480704267279
  • Mashek, D. J., & Sherman, M. D. (2008). Desiring less closeness with intimate others. In D.J. Mashek & A. Aron (Eds.), Handbook of closeness and intimacy (pp. 343-356). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
  • Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In S. Duck, D. F. Hay, S. E. Hobfoll, W. Ickes, & B. M. Montgomery (Eds.), Handbook of personal relationships: Theory, research and interventions (pp. 367–389). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Scigala, D. K., Fabris, M. A., Badenes- Ribera, L., Zdankiewicz- Scigala, E., & Longobardi, C. (2021). Alexithymia and self diferentiation: The role of fear of intimacy and insecure adult attachment. Contemporary Family Therapy, 43, 165- 176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09567-9
  • Scigala, D. K., Fabris, M. A., Badenes- Ribera, L., Zdankiewicz- Scigala, E., Hintertan, I., & Longobardi, C. (2021). Alexithymia and adult attachment: Investigating the mediating role of fear of intimacy and negative mood regulation expectancies. Psychological Reports, 125(4), 1896- 1914. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941211010252
  • Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of 'alexithymic' characteristics in psychosomatic patients. Psychother Psychosom, 22(2), 255-262. http://doi.org/10.1159/000286529
  • Sifneos, P. E. (1988). Alexithymia and its relationship to hemispheric specialization, affect, and creativity. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 11(3), 287-292. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/S0193-953X(18)30480-5
  • Slife, B. D. (1987). Can cognitive psychology account for metacognitive functions of mind. The Jourmal of Mind and Behavior, 8(2), 195- 208.
  • Sullivan, B. F., & Schwebel, A. I. (1995). Relationship beliefs and expectations of satisfaction in marital relationships: Implications for family practitioners. The Family Journal, 3(4), 298–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480795034003
  • Şıngır, H., Ayvaz, A., & Tonga, B. (2021). Ergenlerde COVID-19 süreci ve kaygı bozukluğu. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies, 7(1), 99-110.
  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.). New York: Pearson.
  • Taylor, G. J., Ch.B, M. B., & Psych, D. (1984). Alexithymia: Concept, measurement and implications for treatment. The Amerıcan Journal of Psychiatry, 141(6), 725-732. http://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.6.725
  • Vangelisti, A. L., & Beck, G. (2007). Intimacy and fear of intimacy. In L. L’Abate (Ed.), Low-cost approaches to promote physical and mental health (pp. 395-414). Springer.
  • Yurtal, F. (1999). Üniversite öğrencilerinin akılcı olmayan inançlarının bazı değişkenlere göre incelenmesi [An investigation of the irrational beliefs of university students according to some variables] [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Çukurova University.
  • Zakiei, A., Karami, J., Alikhani, M., Ghasemi, S. R., & Gilan, N. R. (2014). The relationship between alexithymia, irrational beliefs, positive and negative emotions with mental disorders. Hormozgan Medical Journal, 18(5), 382-391. http://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1055.40

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Yakınlık Korkusunun Yordayıcıları

Year 2023, Volume: 2023 Issue: 20, 41 - 63, 29.03.2023
https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1218724

Abstract

Üniversite öğrencilerinde yakınlık korkusu, akılcı olmayan düşünceler ve aleksitimi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemeyi hedefleyen çalışma nicel araştırma yaklaşımına dayalı olarak ilişkisel desende gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın verilerini toplamak amacı ile Yakınlık Korkusu Ölçeği (YKÖ), Toronto Aleksitimi Ölçeği (TAS-20) ve Akılcı Olmayan İnançlar Testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen veriler SPSS yazılımı ile analiz edilmiştir. Yakınlık korkusu, akılcı olmayan düşünceler ve aleksitimi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek amacıyla Pearson Momentler Çarpımı Korelasyon Katsayısı Tekniği kullanılmıştır. Korelasyon analizi bulguları, yakınlık korkusu ile aleksitimi arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişkinin olduğunu göstermektedir. Yakınlık korkusunun açıklanmasında akılcı olmayan düşünceler ve aleksitiminin özgün katkısının belirlenebilmesi için Hiyerarşik Regresyon Analizi uygulanmıştır. Birinci adımda akılcı olmayan düşünceler alt boyutlarından onay ihtiyacı, yüksek beklentiler, suçlama eğilimi ve çaresizliğin yakınlık korkusunu yordayıcı gücü incelenmiştir. Birinci regresyon modeli anlamlıdır ve yakınlık korkusu toplam varyasının %6.8’ini açıklamaktadır. Akılcı olmayan düşünceler alt boyutlarından suçlama eğilimi ve çaresizliğin modele katkısının anlamlı olduğu belirlenmiştir. İkinci adımda modele aleksitimi, alt boyutları eklenmiştir. İkinci regresyon modeli anlamlıdır ve yakınlık korkusu toplam varyansının %23.5’ini açıklamaktadır. R2 değişim değerleri incelendiğinde aleksitimi alt boyutlarının yakınlık korkusu toplam varyansına özgün katkısı %16.7’dir.

References

  • Apfel, R. J., & Sifneos, P. E. (1979). Alexithymia: Concept and measurement. Psychother Psychosom, 32(1-4), 180-190. http://doi.org/10.1159/000287386
  • Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D. A., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I item selection and cross validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(94)90005-1
  • Barış, E., & Çıkrıkçı, N. (2022, May 10-11). The effect of cognitive-based problem solving skills development psycho education program on university students' problem areas, interpersonal communication competence, and fear of intimacy [Paper presentation]. 4 thInternational Congress on Multidisciplinary Social Sciences (ICMUSS-2022), Ankara, Turkey.
  • Besharat, Am. A., Naghshineh, N., Ganji, P., & Tavalaeyan, F. (2014). The moderating role of attachment styles on the relationship of alexithymia and fear of intimacy with marital satisfaction. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 6(3), 106-117. http://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v6n3p106
  • Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research ( 4rd ed.). Pearson.
  • David, D., & Cramer, D. (2010). Rational and irrastional beliefs in human feelings and psychophysiology. In D. David, S. J. Lynn, & A. Ellis (Eds.). Rational and irrational beliefs research, theory and clinical perspective (pp. 99-114). ABD: Oxford University Press.
  • Deci, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Gagné, M., Leone, D. R., Usunov, J., & Kornazheva, B. P. (2001). Need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in the work organizations of a former eastern bloc country: A cross-cultural study of selfdetermination. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(8), 930-942.
  • Descutner, C. J., & Thelen, M. H. (1991). Development and validation of a Fear-of-Intimacy Scale. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 3(2), 218–225. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.3.2.218
  • Dhar, B. K., Ayittey, F. K., & Sarkar, S. M. (2020). Impact of Covid-19 on psychology among the university students. Global Challenges, 4, Article e2000038. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202000038
  • Elibol, Ş., & Tok, E. S. (2018). Yakınlık korkusu ölçeğinin Türkçe formunun geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [The Validity and Reliability Study of the Fear of Intimacy Scale’s Turkish Form].Yeni Symposium, 56(4), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.5455/NYS.20180905115324
  • Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. Lyle Stuart.
  • Ellis, A. (1993). Reflections on rational-emotive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61 (2), 199-201.
  • Ellis, A., & Harper, R. A. (1975). A new guide to rational living. Prentice-Hall.
  • Ellis, A., Abrams, M., & Abrams, L. D. (2008). Personality theories: Critical perspectives (1 st ed.). Sage Publication
  • Ellis, A., David, D. ve Lynn, S. J. (2010). Rational and irrastional beliefs: A historical and conceptual perspective. In D. David, S. J. Lynn & A. Ellis (Eds.), Rational and irrational beliefs research, theory and clinical perspective (pp. 3-22). ABD: Oxford University Press.
  • Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS (4th ed.). London: Sage Publications.
  • Firestone, R. W., & Catlett, J. (1999). Fear of intimacy. American Psychological Association
  • Goldfried, M. R., & Sobocinski, D. (1975). Effect of irrational beliefs on emotional arousal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(4), 504-510.
  • Güleç, H., Köse, S., Güleç, M. Y., Çitak, S., Evren, C., Borckardt, J., & Sayar, K. (2009). Reliability and factorial validity of the Turkish version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni, 19, 214- 220.
  • Haltfield, E. (1984). The dangers of intimacy. In V. J. Derlega (Ed.), Communication, intimacy, and close relationships (pp.207- 220). Academic Press.
  • Hamaideh, S. H., Al-Modallal, H., & Tanash, M. (2021). Depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students during COVID-19 outbreak and "home-quarantine". Nursing Open, 9, 1423- 1431. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.918
  • Ingersoll, S. T., Norvilitis, J. M., Zhang, J., Jia, S., & Tetewsky, S. (2008). Reliability and validity of the Fear of Intimacy Scale in China. Journal of Personality Assessment, 90(3), 270-279. http://doi.org/10.1080/00223890701885019
  • Jones, R. G. (1969). A factored measure of Ellis' irrational belief system with personality and maladjustment correlates [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Texas Technological College
  • Koriat, A. (2004). Metacognition research: An interim report. In Timothy J. Perfect & Bennett L. Schwartz (Eds.), Applied metacognition (pp.261-286). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Krystal, H. (1979). Alexithymia and psychotherapy. Amerıcan Journal Of Psychotherapy, 33(1), 17-31. http://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1979.33.1.17
  • Lesser, I. M. (1981). A review of the alexithymia concept. Psychosomatic Medicine, 43(6), 531-543. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198112000-00009
  • Lyvers, M., Pickett, L., Needham, K., & Thorberg, F. A. (2021). Alexithymia, fear of intimacy, and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Family Issues, 43(4), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X211010206
  • Martin, J. L., & Ashby, J. S. (2004). Perfectionism and fear of intimacy: Implications for relationships. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Famılies, 4(12), 368-374. http://doi.org/10.1177/1066480704267279
  • Mashek, D. J., & Sherman, M. D. (2008). Desiring less closeness with intimate others. In D.J. Mashek & A. Aron (Eds.), Handbook of closeness and intimacy (pp. 343-356). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
  • Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In S. Duck, D. F. Hay, S. E. Hobfoll, W. Ickes, & B. M. Montgomery (Eds.), Handbook of personal relationships: Theory, research and interventions (pp. 367–389). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Scigala, D. K., Fabris, M. A., Badenes- Ribera, L., Zdankiewicz- Scigala, E., & Longobardi, C. (2021). Alexithymia and self diferentiation: The role of fear of intimacy and insecure adult attachment. Contemporary Family Therapy, 43, 165- 176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09567-9
  • Scigala, D. K., Fabris, M. A., Badenes- Ribera, L., Zdankiewicz- Scigala, E., Hintertan, I., & Longobardi, C. (2021). Alexithymia and adult attachment: Investigating the mediating role of fear of intimacy and negative mood regulation expectancies. Psychological Reports, 125(4), 1896- 1914. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941211010252
  • Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of 'alexithymic' characteristics in psychosomatic patients. Psychother Psychosom, 22(2), 255-262. http://doi.org/10.1159/000286529
  • Sifneos, P. E. (1988). Alexithymia and its relationship to hemispheric specialization, affect, and creativity. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 11(3), 287-292. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/S0193-953X(18)30480-5
  • Slife, B. D. (1987). Can cognitive psychology account for metacognitive functions of mind. The Jourmal of Mind and Behavior, 8(2), 195- 208.
  • Sullivan, B. F., & Schwebel, A. I. (1995). Relationship beliefs and expectations of satisfaction in marital relationships: Implications for family practitioners. The Family Journal, 3(4), 298–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480795034003
  • Şıngır, H., Ayvaz, A., & Tonga, B. (2021). Ergenlerde COVID-19 süreci ve kaygı bozukluğu. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies, 7(1), 99-110.
  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.). New York: Pearson.
  • Taylor, G. J., Ch.B, M. B., & Psych, D. (1984). Alexithymia: Concept, measurement and implications for treatment. The Amerıcan Journal of Psychiatry, 141(6), 725-732. http://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.6.725
  • Vangelisti, A. L., & Beck, G. (2007). Intimacy and fear of intimacy. In L. L’Abate (Ed.), Low-cost approaches to promote physical and mental health (pp. 395-414). Springer.
  • Yurtal, F. (1999). Üniversite öğrencilerinin akılcı olmayan inançlarının bazı değişkenlere göre incelenmesi [An investigation of the irrational beliefs of university students according to some variables] [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Çukurova University.
  • Zakiei, A., Karami, J., Alikhani, M., Ghasemi, S. R., & Gilan, N. R. (2014). The relationship between alexithymia, irrational beliefs, positive and negative emotions with mental disorders. Hormozgan Medical Journal, 18(5), 382-391. http://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1055.40
There are 42 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Elifnur Barış 0000-0002-5340-9489

Özkan Çıkrıkçı 0000-0002-9789-5888

Neslihan Çıkrıkçı 0000-0002-6091-9356

Publication Date March 29, 2023
Submission Date December 13, 2022
Acceptance Date January 31, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 2023 Issue: 20

Cite

APA Barış, E., Çıkrıkçı, Ö., & Çıkrıkçı, N. (2023). Predictors of Fear of Intimacy among University Students. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, 2023(20), 41-63. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1218724