Gestalt Contact Disturbances and Invalidating Childhood Environments in Predicting Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 78, 659 - 673, 20.09.2025

İlknur Yağcılar Dikici , Ş. Gonca Zeren

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1555784

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine whether Gestalt contact disturbances and childhood invalidating environments predict romantic relationship satisfaction. A total of 478 individuals, 333 females and 145 males, between the ages of 18 and 72 years (average age around 32), participated in the study. Data were collected using the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, the Gestalt Contact Disturbances Scale, and the Childhood Invalidating Environments Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used in the analysis of the data. The research results reveal significant relationships between the sub-dimensions of Gestalt contact disturbances and romantic relationship satisfaction. A moderately significant negative relationship was found between the childhood invalidating environments (mother and father) and romantic relationship satisfaction. As a result of the regression analysis, it was concluded that the sub-dimension of Gestalt contact disturbances (namely full contact) and the childhood invalidating environments (mother and father), predicted romantic relationship satisfaction.

Keywords

Romantic relationship satisfaction , Gestalt contact disturbances , invalidating childhood environment , childhood experiences , Gestalt.

References

• Akbulut, E. (2019). Evlilik uyumu ile Gestalt temas engelleri ve akılcı olmayan inançlar arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Master dissertation, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University].
• Akkoyun, F. (2001). Gestalt terapi: Büyüme ve gelişme, Gücümüzün harekete geçişi. Nobel Yayınevi.
• Alpay, E. H., Bellur, Z., & Aydın, A. (2018). Çocuklukta Onaylamayan Çevre Ölçeği (ÇOÇÖ) Türkçe formunun geçerlilik ve güvenilirlik çalışması. Duşunen Adam the Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 1(31), 40-49. https://doi.org/10.5350/DAJPN2018310104
• Bartholomew, K., & Shaver, P.R. (1998). Methods of assessing adult attachment. J.A. Simpson & W.S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 25-45). Guilford Press.
• Beştav, G. (2007). Romantik ilişki doyumu ile cinsiyet, bağlanma stilleri, rasyonel olmayan inançlar ve aşka ilişkin tutumlar arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Master dissertation, Hacettepe University].
• Blom, R. (2006). The handbook of Gestalt play therapy: Practical guidelines for child therapists. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Bozkurt, S. (2006). Temas biçimleriyle bağlanma stilleri ve kişilerarası şemalar arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Master dissertation, Ankara University].
• Bradbury, L. L., & Shaffer, A. (2012). Emotion dysregulation mediates the link between childhood emotional maltreatment and young adult romantic relationship satisfaction. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 21(5), 497–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2012.678466
• Brown, J. R. (2004). Conflict emotions and appreciation of differences. Gestalt Review, 8(3), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.5325/Gestaltreview.8.3.0323
• Budak, B. (2011). Üniversite öğrencilerinin aşka ilişkin tutumları ve ilişki doyumlarının kişilik özellikleri ile ilişkisi [Master dissertation, Gazi University].
• Bülbül, Ö. (2022). Romantik ilişkisi olan bireylerin sosyal medya bağımlılık düzeyleri, ilişki doyumu ve depresyon düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Master dissertation, Marmara University].
• Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2012). Eğitimde Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemleri. Pegem Akademi.
• Clarkson, P. (1991). Gestalt counselling in action. Sage Pulications.
• Collins, W. A. (2003). More and myth: the developmental significance of romantic relationships during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/1532-7795.1301001 Curun, F. (2001). The effects of sexism and sex role orientation on relationship satisfaction [Master dissertation, Middle East of Technical University].
• Çürükvelioğlu, E. (2012). Romantic relationship satisfaction in emerging adulthood: the role of self-concept clarity and personal agency [Master dissertation, Middle East of Technical University].
• Daş, C. (2006). Büyümek ve gelişmek: Gestalt terapi yaklaşımı. HYB Yayıncılık.
• Daş, C. (2017). Gestalt terapi-bütünleşmek ve büyümek. (5.Baskı). Altınordu Yayınları.
• Davis, M. H., & Oathout, H. A. (1987). Maintenance of satisfaction in romantic relationships: Empathy and relational competence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(2), 397–410. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.53.2.397
• Demirci, A. (2020). Çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmada ölçme araçlarının kullanımı ve çevrimiçi veri toplama. Ş.G. Zeren (Eds.) Psikolojik danışmada yeni açılımlar ve çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma uygulayıcılar için el kitabı (pp. 182-205). Pegem Akademi.
• Deniz, M. E., Erus, S. M., & Batum, D. (2020). Examining marital satisfaction in terms of interpersonal mindfulness and perceived problem-solving skills in marriage. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 12(2), 69-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.15345/iojes.2020.02.005
• Dilvin-Abacı, F. (2018). Ebeveyn kabul-reddi ile psikolojik belirtiler arasındaki ilişkide duygu düzenleme ile kişilerarası problemlerin rolü [Master dissertation, Hacettepe University].
• Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. North American Edition.
• Fincham, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2006). Relationship Satisfaction. A. L. Vangelisti & D. Perlman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of personal relationships (pp. 579–594). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511606632.032
• Finkelhour, D., Hotaling, G. T., Lewis, I. A., & Smith, C. (1989). Sexual abuse and its relationship to later sexual satisfaction, marital status, religion, and attitudes. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 4(4), 379–399. https://doi.org/10.1177/088626089004004001
• Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1992). Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Development, 63(1), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130905
• Furman, W., & Shaffer, L. (2003). The role of romantic relationship in adolescent development. P. Florsheim. (Eds.), Adolescent romantic relations and sexual behavior: Theory, research and practical implications (pp. 3-22). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Goldstein, A. P., Krasner, L., & Garfield, S.L. (1989). Therapy practice of theory. Allyn and Bacon.
• Gökdemir Aktaş, C., & Daş, C. (2002). Gestalt Temas Biçimleri Yeniden Düzenlenmiş Form’un Türk örnekleminde faktör yapısı, geçerliği ve güvenirliği. Temas: Gestalt Terapi Dergisi, 1(1), 83-108.
• Greenberg, L. S., & Johnson, S. M. (2020). Emotionally focused therapy for couples. The Guilford Press.
• Gustavson, K., Roysamb, E., Borren, I., Torvik, F. A., & Karevold, E. (2016). Life satisfaction in close relationships: Findings from a longitudinal study. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(3), 1293-1311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-015-9643-7
• Gürsoy, Ü. (2009). Üniversite öğrencilerinin gestalt temas biçimleri ile yaşam doyumları arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Master dissertation, Marmara University].
• Hatfield, E. (1988). Passionate and companionate love. R. J. Sternberg & M. L. Barnes (Eds.), The psychology of love, (pp. 191–217). Yale University Press.
• Hawkins, J. L. (1968). Associations between companionship, hostility, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and Family. 30 (4), 647-650. https://doi.org/10.2307/349510
• Hazan, C., & Shaver, P.R. (1994). Attachment as an organizational framework for reseearch on close relationship. Psychological Inguiry, 5(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0501_1
• Hendrick, S. S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50(1), 93–98. https://doi.org/10.2307/352430
• Hendrick, C., & Hendrick, S. S. (1989). Research on love: Does it measure up?. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56(5), 784–794. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.56.5.784
• Hendrick, S. S., Hendrick, C., & Adler, N. L. (1988). Romantic relationships: Love, satisfaction, and staying together. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 54, 980-988. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.980
• Hünler, O. S., & Gençöz, T. (2003). Boyun eğici davranışlar ve evlilik doyumu ilişkisi: Algılanan evlilik problemleri çözümünün rolü. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 18(51), 99- 108.
• Jacobs, S. (2007). The implemention of humour as deflective technique in contact boundary disturbanc [Master dissertation, University of South Africa].
• Kaplan, K. (2016). Evli bireylerde toplumsal cinsiyet rollerine ilişkin tutumların, evlilik doyumuna ve psikolojik iyi oluş durumuna etkisinin incelenmesi [Master dissertation, Beykent University].
• Karasar, N. (2013). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri (25. baskı). Nobel Yayıncılık.
• Karataş, Z. (2019). Romantik ilişki doyumu ile duygu düzenleme güçlüğü ve kişiler arası tarz arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Master dissertation, Maltepe University].
• Karataş, Z., & Yavuzer, Y. (2018). Psikolojik danışma ve psikoterapi kuramları. Pegem Akademi.
• Kepner, J. I. (1982). Questionnaire measurement of personality styles from the theory of Gestalt therapy [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University].
• Killingsworth, M. A., & Gilbert, D. T. (2015). A wandering mind is an unhappy mind. Science, 330(2006), 932-932. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1192439
• Klein, M. (1957). Haset ve Şükran. O. Koçak & Y. Erten (Trans.), Metis.
• Kohlenberg, R. J., & Tsai, M. (2015). The Role of Gestalt Therapy in Couple’s Therapy: Application of the Gestalt Approach. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 45(1), 25-33.
• Kudiaki, Ç., & Sezgin, N. (2017). Baş ağrısı olan ve olmayan grupların Geştalt temas biçimleri, öfke ve anksiyete düzeyleri açısından incelenmesi. Klinik Psikiyatri, 2018(21), 68-78. 10.5505/kpd.2017.42104
• Kuyumcu, B. (2005). Evli çiftlerin evlilik doyumu ile gestalt temas biçimleri ve başa çıkma tarzları arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Master dissertation, Karadeniz Technical University].
• Levine, T. B. Y. (2012). Gestalt therapy: advances in theory and practice. Routledge.
• Lin, Y.-H. W., & Rusbult, C. E. (1995). Commitment to dating relationships and cross-sex friendships in America and China. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 12(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407595121002
• Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. The Guilford Press.
• Mann, D. (2010). Gestalt Therapy: 100 Key Points & Techniques. New York: Routledge.
• Mason, O., Platts, H., & Tyson, M. (2005). Early maladaptive schemas and adult attachment in a UK clinical population. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 78(4), 549–564. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608305X41371
• Masquelier, G. (2006). Gestalt Therapy: Living Creatively Today. Gestalt Press.
• Merrick, M. T., Ports, K. A., Ford, D. C., Afifi, T. O., Gershoff, E. T., & Grogan-Kaylor, A. (2017). Unpacking the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult mental health. Child Abuse & Neglect, 69, 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.03.016
• Mountford, V., Corstorphine, E., Tomlinson, S., & Waller, G. (2007). Development of a measure to assess invalidating childhood environments in the eating disorders. Eating Behaviors, 8(1), 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2006.01.003
• Murdock, N. L. (2012). Psikolojik danışma ve psikoterapi kuramları. F. Akkoyun (Trans. Eds.). Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
• Myers, J. E., Sweeney, T. J., & Witmer, J. M. (2000). The wheel of wellness counseling for wellness: A holistic model for treatment planning. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78(3), 251-266. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb01906.x
• Nar, Ö. H., Topkaya, N., & Şahin, E. (2022). Romantik ilişki yaşayan bireylerde ilişki doyumunun yordayıcıları: ilişkiye özgü akılcı olmayan inançlar ve bilişsel esneklik. Aile Psikolojik Danışmanlığı Dergisi, 5(1), 1-28.
• Pallant, J. (2011). SPSS Survival Manual (5. Baskı). Allen & Unwin.
• Perls, F. S., Hefferline, R. & Goodman, P. (2005). Gestalt terapisi içimizdeki çocuk. N. Erkmen (Trans. Eds.) Söz Yayıncılık.
• Perls, F. (1976). The Gestalt approach; and eyewitness to therapy. Bantam Books.
• Polster, E. & Polster, M. (1974). Gestalt therapy integrated. Vintage Books.
• Rime, B., Mesquita, B., Boca, S., & Philippot, P. (1991). Beyond the emotional event: Six studies on the social sharing of emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 5(5-6), 435–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699939108411052
• Robles, T. F., Slatcher, R. B., Trombello, J. M., & McGinn, M. M. (2014). Marital quality and health: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140(1), 140-187. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031859
• Rohner, R. P. (1994). Patterns of parenting: The warmth dimension in worldwide perspective. Psychology and Culture, 113-120.
• Rohner, R.P. & Brothers, S. A. (1999). Perceived parental rejection, psychological maladjustment, and borderline personality disorder. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 1(4), 81-95.
• Rubin, D. C. (2000). The distribution of early childhood memories. Memory, 8(4), 265–269. https://doi.org/10.1080/096582100406810
• Rusbult, C. E. (1983). A longitudinal test of the investment model: The development (and deterioration) of satisfaction and commitment in heterosexual involvements. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45(1), 101–117. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.101
• Sabatelli, R. M. (1988). Exploring relationship satisfaction: A social exchange perspective on the interdependence between theory, research, and practice. Family Relations, 37(2), 217-222. https://doi.org/10.2307/584323
• Sakallı-Uğurlu, N. (2003). How do romantic relationship satisfaction, gender stereotypes, and gender relate to future time orientation in romantic relationships?. The Journal of Psychology, 137(3), 294-303. 10.1080/00223980309600615
• Saraç, A., Hamamcı, Z. & Güçray, S. (2015). Üniversite öğrencilerinin romantik ilişki doyumunun yordanması. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 5(43), 69-81. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tpdrd/issue/21463/230066
• Sauer, S. E., & Baer, R. A. (2010). Validation of measures of biosocial precursors to borderline personality disorder: Childhood emotional vulnerability and environmental invalidation. Assessment, 17(4), 454–466. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191110373226
• Selby, E. A., Braithwaite, S. R., Joiner, T. E., Jr., & Fincham, F. D. (2008). Features of borderline personality disorder, perceived childhood emotional invalidation, and dysfunction within current romantic relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(6), 885–893. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013673
• Sezgin, N. (2002). Gestalt terapisinde temas işlevleri ve temasın engellenmesi. Temas Gestalt Terapi Dergisi, 1(1), 15-41.
• Sharf, R. S. (2012). Theories of psychotherapy and counseling: Concepts and cases. Wadsworth Brooks Cole.
• Sills, C. Finch, S., & Lapworth, P. (1998). Gestalt counseling. Winslow Press.
• Simkin, J. S., & Yontef, G. M. (1984). Gestalt Therapy. R. J. Corsini (Eds). Current Psychotherapies (pp. 279-318). Peacock Publishers.
• Soğancı, D. (2017). Bağlanma stillerinin romantik ilişki doyumu üzerindeki etkisi. [Master dissertation, Haliç University].
• Sprecher, S., & Hendrick, S. S. (2004). Self-disclosure in intimate relationships: associations with individual and relationship characteristics over time. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(6), 857–877. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.23.6.857.54803
• Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Construct validation of a triangular love scale. European Journal of Social Psychology, 27(3), 313–335. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0992(199705)27:3<313::AID-EJSP824>3.0.CO;2-4
• Şirin, S. Ç., & Eker, E. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinin ruhsal yardım alma/almama durumunun Gestalt temas biçimleri açısından incelenmesi. Aydın İnsan ve Toplum Dergisi, 5(2), 141-155. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/aitdergi/issue/52700/695053
• Tabachnick, B., & Fidell, L. S. (2015). Using Multivariate Statistics (6th ed.). Pearson Longman.
• Türkkan, T. ve Odacı, H. (2018). “Liseli ergenlerde çocukluk çağı örselenme yaşantılarının cinsiyet, gelir düzeyi ve ebeveyn eğitim durumuna göre incelenmesi”. Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet, 29(1), 71-89. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tsh/issue/38635/448689
• Tagay, Ö. (2010). Gestalt temas engelleri ölçeğinin geliştirilmesi ve üniversite öğrencilerinin temas engellerinin incelenmesi. [Doctoral dissertation, Hacettepe University].
• Tagay, Ö., & Voltan-Acar, N. (2012). Gestalt Temas Engelleri Ölçeği’nin geliştirilmesi. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 4(37), 61-72.
• Tagay, Ö., Voltan Acar, N. & Cırcır, O. The relationships among ruminative thoughts, Gestalt contact disturbances and unfinished business. Curr Psychol 43, 609–617 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04335-4
• Taşköprü, M. (2013). Evlilik doyumu ile problem çözme becerileri, stresle başa çıkma ve evlilik süresi arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Master dissertation, İstanbul Bilim University].
• Tuncer, S. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yakın ilişki inançları ve benlik değişmelerinin romantik ilişkilerinin niteliğini yordama gücü. [Master dissertation, Hacettepe University].
• Tümlü, G. Ü. (2012). Psikolojik dayanıklılık düzeyleri farklı üniversite öğrencilerinin temas engellerinin incelenmesi [Master dissertation, Hacettepe University].
• Valdivieso, V. (2021). The effect of receiving parental invalidation during childhood and its influence on couple relationships as adults. [Master dissertation, Alliant International University].
• Voltan-Acar, N. (2012). Ne kadar farkındayım? Gestalt terapi. Nobel Yayıncılık.
• Vostanis, P., Graves, A., Meltzer, H., Goodman, R., Jenkins, R., & Brugha, T. (2006), Relationship between parental psychopathology, parenting strategies and child mental health. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 41(7), 509-514. 10.1007/s00127-006-0061-3
• Vural Batık, M., Epli, H., Balcı Çelik, H., & Doğru Çabuker, N. (2020). Social interest and contact disturbances as predictors of relationship satisfaction in romantic relationship. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 10(58), 367-384.
• Weiser, D. A., & Weigel, D. J. (2016). Self-efficacy in romantic relationships: Direct and indirect effects on relationship maintenance and satisfaction. Personality and Individual Differences, 89, 152–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.10.013
• Whisman, M. A. (1999). Marital dissatisfaction and psychiatric disorders: Results from the national comorbidity survey. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 108(4), 701–706. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.108.4.701
• Yazıcı Kabadayı, S., Kabadayı, F. & Avcı, M. (2023). A path analysis of contact styles, relationship satisfaction, and internet addiction among university students. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 10(1), 34-48. https://dx.doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2023.10.1.816
• Yılmaz, B. (2021). Romantik ilişki doyumunun yordayıcıları olarak çocuklukta onaylamayan çevre, rasyonel olmayan inançlar ve empati düzeyi [Master dissertation, Marmara University].
• Zinker, J.C. (1998). In Search of Good Form: Gestalt Therapy with Couples and Families (1st ed.). Gestalt Press.
• Zinker, J. C. (2013). In search of good form: Gestalt therapy with couples and families. Gestalt Press.