Browsing by Author "Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Bisexuals Are Just Greedy!: Developing the Bisexual Myths Scale and Testing Its Preliminary Psychometrics in Heterosexual and Bisexual Plus Samples
(Springer, 2025) Zurnaci, Burcu; Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu; Toplu Demirtaş, Ezgi
IntroductionBisexual myths refer to misconceptions, prejudices, and stereotypes about bisexuality and the relationships of bisexual+ (bi+) individuals. Research on these myths has been limited, partly due to the absence of a measurement tool. This study aimed to develop and validate the Bisexual Myths Scale (Bisex-M), a standardized instrument for assessing both bisexual myths held by heterosexual individuals and internalized bisexual myths among bisexual individuals.MethodsAcross three independent studies, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Bisex-M. Study 1 used a predominantly heterosexual sample to conduct an exploratory factor analysis. Studies 2 and 3, using heterosexual and bisexual samples respectively, tested the factor structure through confirmatory factor analyses and examined concurrent validity indicators.ResultsIn Study 1, exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure consisting of Bisexual Identity (nine items, eigenvalue = 8.995; 59.97% variance) and Bisexual Relationships (six items, eigenvalue = 1.536; 10.24% variance). Participants who had bisexual acquaintances endorsed fewer myths, while religiosity, conservatism, and negative attitudes toward gay and lesbian individuals were positively associated with myth endorsement. The two-factor structure was confirmed in Study 2 using a primarily heterosexual sample and again in Study 3 using an entirely bisexual sample. In Study 3, higher levels of internalized bisexual myths were also associated with increased psychological intimate partner violence perpetration.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the Bisex-M is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring both externally held bisexual myths within heterosexual samples and internalized bisexual myths among bisexual individuals. The scale demonstrated consistent psychometric strength across diverse samples.Policy ImplicationsThe Bisex-M provides researchers, clinicians, and educators with a practical tool for identifying and addressing myth-related biases. Its use may support interventions aimed at reducing bisexual stigma and inform policies that promote the social and relational well-being of bi+ populations.
Citation - WoS: 1
Citation - Scopus: 1
Body Appreciation Matters: The Associations Between Self-Compassion, Body Appreciation, and Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Heterosexual and LGBI+ Emerging Adults in Türkiye
(SAGE Publications Inc., 2025) Deveci, A.N.; Toplu-Demirtaş, E; Bulgan, G.; Toplu Demirtaş, Ezgi; Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu
Objectives: Self-compassion has been effective in the prevention and treatment of disordered eating behaviors and body image issues, which are significant public health concerns with potential psychosocial and physical consequences. Furthermore, there remains a substantial gap in the existing body of research, particularly in the context of heterosexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual plus (LGBi+) emerging adults in Türkiye. Therefore, this study aims to explore the mediating role of body appreciation in the relationship between self-compassion and disordered eating behaviors and the moderating role of sexual orientation (heterosexual and LGBi+) in the mediation among emerging adults. Methods: A diverse sample of participants comprising heterosexual (n = 242) and LGBi+ (n = 204) emerging adults (Mage = 22.18; SDage = 3.07; min = 18; max = 30) completed self-report measures of the Self-Compassion Scale, Body Appreciation Scale-2, and Eating Attitude Test-26. Results: The results of moderated meditation revealed that body appreciation mediated the relationship between self-compassion and disordered eating behaviors among both heterosexual and LGBi+ individuals. Conclusions: The findings may inform support strategies and interventions to reduce eating disorder risk and promote mental health and well-being in both heterosexual and LGBi+ populations by emphasizing self-compassion and body appreciation. © The Author(s) 2025
Citation - WoS: 7
Citation - Scopus: 6
Cyber Dating Violence Among Youth and Adolescents: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
(Springer/plenum Publishers, 2024) Erbiçer, Eyüp Sabır; Boranlı, Ece Nur; Metin, Ahmet; Erbiçer, Sinem; Şen, Sedat; Toplu Demirtaş, Ezgi; Espelage, Dorothy L.; Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu
Studies have shown that there are protective and risk factors related to cyber dating violence. However, the effect size of these factors is unclear. This study aims to clarify the effect size of the associations of protective and risk factors, as well as symptoms of mental health conditions, with cyber dating violence perpetration and victimization. Databases, including PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), ProQuest, Scopus, and EBSCOhost were searched to identify relevant studies. Forty-nine studies were included in the current study. Results revealed statistically significant and medium relationships between cyber dating violence perpetration and some risk factors, including offline dating violence perpetration-related factors (i.e., physical, psychological, sexual, relational, verbal/emotional, and threat) and offline dating violence victimization-related factors (i.e., physical and psychological); and small relationships with other risk factors (i.e., sexual offline dating violence victimization, attachment styles, and jealousy), protective factors (i.e., family support and emotional regulation), and mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, and alcohol use). There was also statistically significant and robust relationship between cyber dating violence victimization and verbal/emotional offline dating violence victimization (i.e., risk factor); medium relationships with some risk factors, including offline dating violence perpetration-related factors (i.e., psychological and verbal/emotional) and offline dating violence victimization-related factors (i.e., physical, psychological, sexual, relational, and threat); small relationships with other risk factors (i.e., physical offline dating violence perpetration, attachment styles, childhood sexual abuse), protective factors (i.e., family support, emotional regulation, and self-esteem), and mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol use, and drug use). The study's results highlight risk and protective factors associated with cyber dating violence and demonstrate its association with mental health symptoms.
Gender Differences in Cyber Dating Violence Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
(Wiley, 2025) Erbicer, Eyup Sabir; Metin, Ahmet; Zencir, Tolga; Boranli, Ece Nur; Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu; Sen, Sedat
Despite the growing body of research on cyber dating violence, a comprehensive understanding of gender differences in cyber-violent behaviors across developmental stages remains limited. The main purpose of this meta-analytic review was to estimate the direction and magnitude of gender differences in cyber dating violence perpetration and victimization by synthesizing results from various studies. The second purpose of this study was to examine the effect of potential moderators (i.e., continent, age, grade level, time frame, method of survey administration, the metric of the outcome, study design, publication status, and publication year) on these differences. Various databases were used to identify relevant studies, including PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC, and ProQuest. Eighty-one individual studies with a total sample of 70,233 participants, ranging in age from 10 to 30 years (M = 18.94), were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the present study. Most studies were conducted in North America and Europe with the largest proportions from the United States and Spain. Results indicated that there were no statistically significant gender differences (women vs. men; girls vs. boys) in perpetration and victimization of cyber dating violence. Moderator analyses showed that grade level and sample age were statistically significant moderators of gender differences in cyber dating violence victimization. However, other moderators (continent, time frame, method of survey administration, the metric of the outcome, study design, publication status, and publication year) were not statistically significant. This study contributes to understanding gender differences in cyber-violent behaviors during adolescence and emerging adulthood and highlights the importance of some moderators when developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
Citation - WoS: 1
Citation - Scopus: 1
The Shadows of Internalized Bisexual Myths: Jealousy and Psychological Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Bisexual Plus Individuals in Turkiye
(SAGE Publications Inc, 2025) Zurnaci, Burcu; Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu; Toplu Demirtaş, Ezgi
Bisexual+ (bi+) individuals may face unique challenges stemming from the internalization of myths related to their sexual orientation. This internalization may make individuals more sensitive to perceived threats in their relationships, which can increase feelings of jealousy. In turn, internalized bisexual myths and heightened jealousy may contribute to the perpetration of psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) within bi+ relationships. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the parallel mediating roles of cognitive and emotional jealousy in the association between internalized bisexual myths and psychological IPV perpetration. A sample of 230 bi+ individuals from Türkiye completed the (Internalized) Bisexual Myths Scale, the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, and the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse Short Form. Overall, 94.3% of bi+ individuals reported perpetrating at least one act of psychological IPV against their partners within the past 6 months. Results from the parallel mediation analyses revealed that both cognitive and emotional jealousy mediated the relationship between internalized bisexual myths and psychological IPV perpetration. These findings suggest that bi+ individuals who internalize bisexual myths and exhibit higher levels of emotional and cognitive jealousy may be more susceptible to perpetrating psychological IPV against their partners. This study underscores the need for further research to better understand psychological IPV perpetration among bi+ individuals, highlighting the value of qualitative and longitudinal methods for gaining deeper insights.
Citation - WoS: 17
Citation - Scopus: 22
Turkish Version of the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse: Preliminary Psychometrics in College Students
(Springer, 2018) Hatipoğlu Sümer, Zeynep; Murphy, Christopher M.; Toplu Demirtaş, Ezgi; Sümer, Zeynep Hatipoglu; Demirtas, Ezgi Toplu
The aim of the current study was to investigate the basic psychometrics of the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA; Murphy & Hoover, 1999) in a Turkish sample. Two hundred and fifty-four college students participated and completed the Turkish version of the MMEA (MMEA-TR) along with the Physical Assault of Conflict Tactics Scale—Revised, Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, Relationship Assessment Scale, and Social Desirability Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the four-factor structure of the MMEA-TR for both victimization and perpetration reports. This factor structure was cross-validated with an independent older sample of 328 dating college students for perpetration reports. Satisfactory criterion validity and internal consistency reliability results were obtained as well. Based on the preliminary investigation, the MMEA-TR appears to be a psychometrically sound measure of psychological dating aggression perpetration and victimization among college students in Turkey. The results, limitations, and recommendations for future studies were discussed.