Sensation Seeking, Self-Concealment as Predictors of Adolescents’ Attitude Toward Violence in Early Adolescence

Year 2019, Volume: 10 Issue: 17, 1664 - 1684, 31.03.2019

Mehmet Kaya , Ümit Sahranç , Eyüp Çelik

https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.536076

Cited By: 3

Abstract

In this study, the
variables of the research; relationships between excitement seeking,
self-concealment and attitudes towards violence were also examined. In
addition, this study investigates the prediction level of self-concealment and
sensation seeking on the attitude toward violence in early adolescence.
Relational survey method is applied in present study. Brief Sensation Seeking
Scale, Self-concealment Scale, and Adolescents’ Attitude toward Violence Scale
were delivered to 393 adolescents. Participants consist of students attending
6th, 7th and 8th grade in three different public schools between the ages of
12-15. 50% of the participants were female students. Pearson correlation
coefficient and stepwise regression analysis were applied. This study result
shows that attitude toward violence positively relates to sensation seeking and
self-concealment. The stepwise regression analysis revealed that
self-concealment and sensation seeking predict the attitude toward violence.
This study revealed that sensation seeking is an important predictor of
adolescent’s attitude toward violence. In the light of the findings obtained
from the study, and the suggestions for teachers and psychological counselors
about the orientation of the sensation seeking and the supporting environments
were included.

Keywords

Self-concealment, Attitude toward Violence, Sensation Seeking

Erken Ergenlikte Şiddete Yönelik Tutumun Belirleyicisi Olarak Heyecan Arayışı ve Kendini Gizleme

Abstract

Bu
araştırmada, araştırmanın değişkenleri olan; heyecan arayışı, kendini gizleme
ve şiddete yönelik tutum arasındaki ilişkiler incelenmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra kendini
gizleme ve heyecan arayışının, erken ergenlikte şiddete yönelik tutumu yordama
düzeyi belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırma, ilişkisel tarama yöntemi ile
gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma verileri; Kısa Heyecan Arayışı Ölçeği, Kendini
Gizleme Ölçeği ve Ergenler İçin Şiddete Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği’nin 393 ergene uygulanmasıyla
toplanmıştır. Katılımcılar 12-15 yaş arasındaki 3 farklı devlet okulunda 6. 7.
ve 8. sınıfa devam eden  öğrencilerden
oluşmaktadır. Araştırmaya katılanların %50’si kız öğrencidir. Veriler Pearson
korelasyon katsayısı ve aşamalı regresyon analizi ile incelenmiştir. Araştırma
sonucunda şiddete yönelik tutumun, hem heyecan arayışı hem de kendini gizleme
ile ilişkili olduğu görülmüştür. Aşamalı regresyon analizi sonucu, kendini
gizleme ve heyecan arayışının şiddete yönelik tutumu yordadığını ortaya koymuştur.
Heyecan arayışının ergenlerde şiddete yönelik tutumu yordayan önemli bir
değişken olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgular
ışığında, heyecan arayışının yönelimine ve öğrencileri destekleyici ortamlara ilişkin
öğretmenlere  ve psikolojik danışmanlara yönelik
önerilere yer verilmiştir.

Keywords

Kendini Gizleme, Şiddete Yönelik Tutum, Heyecan Arayışı

References

• Albus, K. E., Weist, M. D., & Perez-Smith, A. M. (2004). Associations between youth risk behavior and exposure to violence: Implications for the provision of mental health services in urban schools. Behav Modif, 28, 548-564.
• Allen, J. J., & Anderson, C. A. (2017). Aggression and Violence: Definitions and Distinctions. The Wiley Handbook of Violence and Aggression, Peter Sturmey (Editor-in-Chief). John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Ltd. DOI: 10.1002/9781119057574.whbva001.
• Al-Matalka, F. (2012). Violence against women in Aqaba City –Jordan. Studies in Sociology. Department of Sociology. University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
• Al-Matalka, F. (2009). The health impact of the violence against women in Aqaba Region – Jordan, Paper presented at the International Sociological Association, Research Committee on Sociology of Health (RC 15), Mid-term Conference, Health for All: Opportunities and Challenges. Jaipur, India, September, 21-23.
• Al-Matalka, F. I. M., & Hussainat, M. M. (2013). Attitudes of Jordanian youth towards violence against women. Asian Social Science, 9(3), 192-201.
• Aluja-Fabregat, A. (2000). Personality and curiosity about TV and film violence in adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 29, 379–392.
• Anderson, C. A., Benjamin, A. J., Wood, P. K., & Bonacci, A. M. (2006). Development and testing of the Velicer Attitudes Toward Violence Scale: Evidence for a four-factor model. Aggressive Behavior, 32, 122–136.
• Avcı, R., & Gürçay, S. S. (2010). Şiddet davranışı gösteren ve göstermeyen ergenlerin ailelerinin aile işlevleri, aile bireylerine ilişkin problemler, öfke ve öfke ifade tarzları açısından incelenmesi. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 10, 45-76.
• Aypay, A., & Durmuş, E. (2008). Zorba, kendine güvenen ve zorbalıktan kaçınan tutumları sergileyen lise öğrencilerinin iş birliği yapma karakter özelliği açısından değerlendirilmesi. Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 41(2), 23-42.
• Baker, Ö. E., & Kavşut, F. (2007). Akran zorbalığının yeni yüzü: Siber zorbalık. Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 27, 31-42.
• Barry, D. T., & Mizrahi, T. C. (2005). Guarded self-disclosure predicts psychological distress and willingness to use psychological services among East Asian immigrants in the United States. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 193, 535–539. doi: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000172642.23147.23
• Brendgen, M., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R., & Wanner, B. (2002). Parent and peer effects on delinquency-related violence and dating violence: A test of two mediational models. Social Development, 11(2), 225–244. doi:10.1111/1467-9507.00196.
• Chambers, R. A., Taylor, J. R., & Potenza, M. N. (2003). Developmental neurocircuitry of motivation in adolescence: A critical period of addiction vulnerability. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160(6), 1041–1052.
• Chester, D. S., Merwin, L. M., & DeWall, C. N. (2015). Maladaptive perfectionism's link to aggression and self‐harm: Emotion regulation as a mechanism. Aggressive behavior, 41(5), 443-454.
• Cicognani, E., & Zani, B. (2011). Alcohol use among Italian university students: The role of sensation seeking, peer group norms and self-efficacy. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 55(2), 17-36.
• Curran, M. F., Fuertes, J. N., Alfonso, V. C., & Hennessy, J. J. (2010). The association of sensation seeking and impulsivity to driving while under the influence of alcohol. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 30, 84-98. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1874.2010.tb00059.x
• Çelik, E. (2015). Psychometric Properties of Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS-4) in a Sample of Turkish Adolescents. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 5(3), 42-51.
• Çetin, H. (2011). The validity and reliability for the Adolescents’ Attitudes toward Violence Scale. Elementary Education Online, 10(1), 68-79.
• Dahlberg, L. L., & Potter, L. B. (2001). Youth violence: Developmental pathways and prevention challenges. American Journal of Prevention Medicine, 20, 3-14.
• Deniz, M, & Çok, F. (2010). Psychometric properties and adaptation of the Self-concealment Scale to the Turkish adolescents. Elementary Education Online, 9(1), 424–432.
• Deselms, J., & Altman, J. (2003). Immediate and prolonged effects of videogame violence. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 33, 1553–1563.
• Diehm, R., & Armatas, C. (2004). Surfing: An avenue for socially acceptable risk-taking, satisfying needs for sensation seeking and experience seeking. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 663–677.
• DuPont-Reyes, M. J., Fry, D., Rickert, V. I., Bell, D. L., Palmetto, N., & Davidson, L. L. (2014). Relationship violence, fear, and exposure to youth violence among adolescents in New York City. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29(12), 2325–2350.
• Donohew, L., Zimmerman, R., Cupp, P. S., Novak, S., Colon, S., & Abell, R. (2000). Sensation seeking, impulsive decision-making, and risky sex: Implications for risk-taking and design of interventions. Personality and individual differences, 28(6), 1079-1091.
• Eysenck, H. J. (1997). Personality and the biosocial model of antisocial and criminal behavior. In A. Raine, P. Brennan, D. P. Farringtion, and S. A. Mednick (Eds), Biosocial bases of violence (pp 21–38). New York: Plenum.
• Fang, X., & Corso, P. S. (2007). Child maltreatment, youth violence, and intimate partner violence: developmental relationships. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 33, 281–290.
• Flowers, A. L., Hastings, T. L., & Kelley, M. L. (2000). Development of a screening instrument for exposure to violence in children: The KID-SAVE. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 22, 91–104.
• Foran, H. M., & O’Leary, K. D. (2008). Alcohol and intimate partner violence: A metaanalytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 1222–1234.
• Fridlander, A., Nazem, S., Fiske, A., Nadorff, M. R., & Smith, M. D. (2012). Self-concealment and suicidal behaviors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 42(3), 332-340. DOI: 10.1111/j.1943-278X.2012.00094.x
• Funk, J. B., Baldacci, H. B., Pasold, T., & Baumgardner, J. (2004). Violence exposure in real-life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: Is there desensitization? Journal of Adolescence, 27(1), 23–39.
• Gellman, R. A., & Waack-Delucia, J. L. (2006). Predicting school violence: A comparison of violent and nonviolent male students on attitudes toward violence, exposure level to violence, and PTSD Sypmtomatology. Psychology in the Schools, 43(5), 591-598.
• Haskan Avcı, Ö., & Yıldırım, İ. (2014). Ergenlerde şiddet eğilimi, yalnızlık ve sosyal destek. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 29(1), 157-168.
• Hurd, N. M., Zimmerman, M. A., & Reischl, T. M. (2011). Role model behavior and youth violence: A study of positive and negative effects. Journal of Early Adolescence, 31(2), 323–354.
• Janosz, M., Archambault, I., Pagani, L. S., Pascal, S., Morin, A. J. S., & Bowen, F. (2008). Are there detrimental effects of witnessing school violence in early adolescence?. Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(6), 600-608.
• Jensen, J. D., Weaver, A. J., Ivic, R., & Imboden, K. (2011). Developing a Brief Sensation Seeking Scale for children: Establishing concurrent validity with video game use and rule-breaking behavior. Media Psychology, 14, 71–95.
• Kahn, J. H., & Hessling, R. M. (2001). Measuring the tendency to conceal versus disclose psychological distress. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 20, 41-65. http://doi.org/djkr5h
• Kawamura, K. Y., & Frost, R. O. (2004). Self-concealment as a mediator in the relationship between perfectionism and psychological distress. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 28 183-191. http://doi.org/d9d2zc
• Ko, C. H., Yen, J. Y., Liu, S. C., Huang, C. F., & Yen, C. F. (2009). The associations between aggressive behaviors and internet addiction and online activities in adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44(6), 598-605.
• Kopstein, A. N., Crum, R. M., Celentano, D., & Martin, S. S. (2001). Sensation seeking needs among 8th and 11th graders: Characteristics associated with cigarette and marijuana use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 62, 195-203. doi:10.1016/S0376-8716(00)00170-8
• Krahe, B., & Moller, I. (2004). Playing violent electronic games, hostile attributional style, and aggression-related norms in german adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 53–69.
• Krcmar, M., & Greene, K. (1999). Predicting exposure to and uses of television violence. Journal of Communication, 49(3), 24–45.
• Larson, D. G., & Chastain, R. L. (1990). Self-concealment: Conceptualization. Measurement, and health implications. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 9(4), 439-455.
• Manna, G., Casiglia, A., & Faraci, P. (2010). Substances use and perception among adolescents in Italy: Findings from an exploratory study. Bollettino di Psicologia Applicata, 261-262, 29-36.
• Marcus, R. F. (2012). Patterns of intimate partner violence in young adult couples: Nonviolent, unilaterally violent, and mutually violent couples. Violence and Victims, 27, 299–314.
• Masuda, A., Anderson, P. L., & Sheehan, S. T. (2009). Mindfulness and mental health among African-American college students. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 14, 115-127. http://doi.org/dzrw7r
• Masuda, A., & Latzman, R. D. (2012). Psychological flexibility and self-concealment as predictors of disordered eating symptoms. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 1, 49–54.
• Mehroof, M., & Griffiths, M.D. (2010). Online gaming addiction: The role of sensation seeking, self-control, neuroticism, aggression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. Cyberpsychology, behavior, and social networking. 13(3), 313-316. DOI: 10.1089=cyber.2009.0229.
• Newcomb, M. D., & McGee, L. (1991). Influence of sensation seeking on general deviance and specific problem behaviors from adolescence to young adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 614–628.
• Öngen, D. E. (2010). The relationships between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and aggression among Turkish adolescents. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 20(1), 99-108.
• Potoczniak, D. J., Aldea, M. A., & DeBlaere, C. (2007). Ego identity, social anxiety, social support, and self-concealment in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54, 447-457. http://doi.org/dkwc6b
• Quinn, G., Bell-Ellison, B., Loomis, W., & Tucci, M. (2007). Adolescent perceptions of violence: Formative research findings from a social marketing campaign to reduce violence among middle school youth. Public Health, 121(5), 357-366.
• Raine, A., Brennan, P. A., & Mednick, S. A. (1997). Interaction between birth complications and early maternal rejection in predisposing to adult violence: Specificity to serious, early onset violence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 1265–1271.
• Raine, A., Venables, P. H., & Mednick, S. A. (1997). Low resting heart rate at age 3 years predispose to aggression at age 11 years: Evidence from the Mauritius child health project. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36, 1457–1464.
• Renfro, A. G., Antoine, K., & Lawson, A. L. (2013). Sensation seeking influences on memory of positive events. North American Journal of Psychology, 15(3), 609-622.
• Rice, K. G., Ashby, J. S., & Slaney, R. B. (2007). Perfectionism and the five-factor model of personality. Assessment, 14, 385–398. doi:10.1177/1073191107303217.
• Roberti, J. W. (2004). A review of behavioral and biological correlates of sensation seeking. Journal of Research in Personality, 38, 256–279.
• Saewyc, E. M., Brown, D., Plane, M., Mundt, M. P., Zakletskaia, L., et al. (2009). Gender differences in violence exposure among university students attending campus health clinics in the United States and Canada. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45, 587–594.
• Sampson, R. J., Morenoff, J. D., & Raudenbush, S. (2005). Social anatomy of racial and ethnic disparities in violence. American Journal of Public Health, 95, 224-232.
• Schafer, J., Caetano, R., & Cunradi, C. B. (2004). A path model of risk factors for intimate partner violence among couples in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 127–142.
• Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Mucci, L. A., & Hathaway, J. E. (2001). Dating violence against adolescent girls and associated substance use, unhealthy weight control, sexual risk behavior, pregnancy, and suicidality. Journal of American Medical Association, 286, 572-579.
• Slater, M. D. (2003). Alienation, aggression, and sensation seeking as predictors of adolescent use of violent film, computer, and website content. Journal of Communication, 53(1), 105-121.
• Spriggs, A. L., Halpern, C. T., & Martin, S. L. (2009). Continuity of adolescent and early adult partner violence victimisation: Association with witnessing violent crime in adolescence. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 63(9), 741-748.
• Stanis, J. J., & Andersen, S. L. (2014). Reducing substance use during adolescence: A translational framework for prevention. Psychopharmacology, 231(8), 1437-1453.
• Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 28(1), 78-106. doi: 10.1016/i.dr.2007.08.002
• Stephenson, M. T., Hoyle, R. H., Palmgreen, P., & Slater, M. D. (2003). Brief measures of sensation seeking for screening and large-scale surveys. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 72, 279–286.
• Stephenson, M. T., & Southwell, B. G. (2006). Sensation seeking, the activation model, and mass media health campaigns: current findings and future directions for cancer communication. Journal of Communication, 56, 38–S56.
• Thumherr, J., Michaud, P-A., Berchtold, A., Akrè, C., & Suris, J-C. (2009). Youths carrying a weapon or using a weapon in a fight; What makes the difference? Health Educ Res. 24(2), 270-279.
• Türküm, A. S. (2011). School Violence: To what extent do perceptions of problem solving skills protect adolescents?. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 11(1), 127-132.
• Assembly, U. G. (1993). Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. UN General Assembly.
• Uysal, A., Lin, H. L., Knee, C. R., & Bush, A. L. (2012). The association between self-concealment from one’s partner and relationship well-being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(1), 39–51. doi: 10.1177/ 0146167211429331
• Uysal, A., Lin, H. L., & Knee, C. R. (2010). The role of need satisfaction in self-concealment and well-being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(2), 187-199.
• Vermeiren, R., Schwab-Stone, M., Ruchkin, V. V., King, R. A., Van Heeringen, C., & Deboutte, D. (2003). Suicidal behavior and violence in male adolescents: A school-based study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 42, 41–48.
• Vernberg, E., & Jacobs, A. K. (1999). Peer victimization and attitudes about violence during early adolescence. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 28(3), 386-396.
• Vittes, K. A., Susan B., & Sorensonv, S. B. (2006). Risk-taking among adolescents who say they can get a handgun. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(6), 929-932.
• Wang, J., Qı, L., & Cuı, L. (2014). The mediating effect of personality traits on the relationship between self-concealment and subjective well-being. Social Behavior and Personality, 2(4), 695-704.
• Ward, M., Doherty, D.T., & Moran, D. R. (2007). It’s good to talk: distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing. HRB Research Series 1 Improving people’s health through research and information. Health Research Board. ISSN 2009-0242.
• Williams, C. J., & Cropley, M. (2014). The relationship between perfectionism and engagement in preventive health behaviours: The mediating role of self-concealment. Journal of health psychology, 19(10), 1211-1221.
• Wismeijer, A., & van Assen, M. (2008). Do neuroticism and extraversion explain the negative association between self-concealment and subjective well-being? Personality and Individual Differences, 45, 345-349. http://doi.org/bgdpj9
• Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral expressions and biosocial bases of sensation seeking. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Zuckerman, M. (1990). The psychophysiology of sensation seeking. Journal of Personality, 58(1), 313-345.