Beliren Yetişkinlerde Fiziksel Aktivite, Benlik Saygısı ve Kendine Zarar Verme Davranışı: Cinsiyete Göre Farklılaşan Bir Düzenleyicilik Modeli

Abstract

Beliren yetişkinlik, bireylerin önemli gelişimsel geçişler ve belirsizlikler yaşadığı bir dönemdir. Bu süreçte bazı bireyler psikolojik zorlanmalarla baş etmek amacıyla intihar niyeti olmayan kendine zarar verme davranışı (KZVD) sergileyebilmektedir. Asgari fiziksel aktivite ölçütünü karşılama ve benlik saygısı, psikolojik iyi oluş ile ilişkili potansiyel koruyucu faktörler olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, beliren yetişkinlerde fiziksel aktivite ile KZVD arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek ve bu ilişkide benlik saygısı ile cinsiyetin düzenleyici rolünü değerlendirmektir. Araştırma 18–25 yaş aralığında 410 katılımcı ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği ve Kendine Zarar Verme Davranışı Değerlendirme Envanteri ile toplanmıştır. Fiziksel aktivite durumu Amerikan Spor Hekimleri Derneği kriterlerine göre belirlenmiştir. Analizlerde Spearman korelasyon, bağımsız örneklemler için t-testi, ki-kare analizi, hiyerarşik regresyon ve PROCESS temelli moderasyon analizleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, KZVD ile benlik saygısı arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğunu ve KZVD sergileyen bireylerin daha düşük benlik saygısı düzeyine sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Erkek katılımcıların benlik saygısı düzeylerinin daha yüksek olduğu ve fiziksel aktivite ölçütünü daha yüksek oranda karşıladıkları bulunmuştur. KZVD açısından cinsiyetler arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmamıştır. Moderasyon analizleri, fiziksel aktivite ile KZVD arasındaki ilişkinin benlik saygısı ve cinsiyete bağlı olarak farklılaştığını göstermiştir. Fiziksel aktivite ile KZVD arasındaki negatif yönlü ilişki yalnızca benlik saygısı düzeyi yüksek erkek katılımcılarda anlamlı bulunmuştur. Bulgular, fiziksel aktivite ile KZVD arasındaki ilişkinin bireysel özelliklere bağlı olarak değişebileceğini göstermektedir. Özellikle benlik saygısı düzeyi yüksek erkeklerde fiziksel aktivitenin KZVD ile negatif yönde ilişkili olduğu görülmektedir. Bu sonuçlar, beliren yetişkinlere yönelik müdahalelerde fiziksel aktivite ve benlik saygısının birlikte ele alınmasının önemine işaret etmektedir.

Keywords

• Fiziksel aktivite
• Beliren yetişkinlik
• Kendine zarar verme davranışı
• Benlik saygısı
• Moderasyon

Physical Activity, Self-Esteem, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Emerging Adults: A Gender-Differentiated Moderation Model

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a developmental period characterized by significant transitions and heightened uncertainty. During this period, some individuals may engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a maladaptive coping strategy. Meeting minimum physical activity criteria and self-esteem are considered potential protective factors associated with psychological well-being. The present study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and NSSI among emerging adults and to evaluate the moderating roles of self-esteem and gender in this relationship. The study was conducted with 410 emerging adults aged 18–25 years. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Self-Harming Behavior Assessment Inventory. Physical activity status was determined based on the American College of Sports Medicine criteria. Spearman correlations, independent-samples t tests, chi-square analyses, hierarchical regression, and PROCESS-based moderation analyses were conducted. Results indicated a significant association between NSSI and self-esteem, with individuals engaging in NSSI reporting lower self-esteem. Male participants reported higher self-esteem and were more likely to meet minimum physical activity criteria. No significant gender differences were found in NSSI frequency. Moderation analyses showed that the association between physical activity and NSSI varied as a function of self-esteem and gender. A negative association between physical activity and NSSI was observed only among males with higher levels of self-esteem. The findings suggest that the association between physical activity and NSSI differs depending on individual characteristics. In particular, physical activity was negatively associated with NSSI among males with higher self-esteem. These findings highlight the importance of considering both physical activity and self-esteem in interventions targeting risk behaviors in emerging adults.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• Emerging adulthood
• Non-suicidal self-injury
• Self-esteem
• Moderation

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