University students problem-solving behaviors and exposure to dating abuse in their romantic relationship

Purpose: To examine problem solving behaviors and exposure to dating abuse of the students studying in the Nursing Department, in their romantic relationships. Materials and methods: This research was conducted as descriptive study between 30.12.2013 and 10.03.2014 in a Health School. The research did not perform sampling and included 373 students who could be reached, agreed to participate in the research and had no error in their data collection forms. Data was collected using a 21-question introductory questionnaire developed by the researcher and “the Problem Solving on Romantic Relationships Scale for Adolescents” consisting of 38 questions. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t test and correlation analysis. Results: 72.5% of the participating students were female and 27.5% were male. It was determined that 43.3% of all the students had a girlfriend /boyfriend, 51% had no romantic relationship before, and 59.5% experienced problems in their relationship. The students whose longest place of residence was in a village were found to be more exposed to emotional and physical abuse (t= 4.99, t=4.55, and p<0.05, respectively). The students who had problems in their romantic relationship were found to be more exposed to emotional abuse and to be more engaged in problem solving. The students who were exposed to abuse in their romantic relationship were more exposed to emotional and physical abuse and also more engaged in problem solving (p<0.05). Conclusions: Abuse is a concept which is still difficult to be expressed. It is important that individuals exposed to abuse are aware of and express this situation.