THE MEDIATING ROLE OF GUILT AND SHAME IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENDER ROLE ATTITUDES AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG WOMEN

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of guilt and shame in the relationship between gender role attitudes and self-esteem among women. The sample of the study consists of 219 women aged between 19 and 65. In this study, which was conducted using a correlational and cross-sectional survey model, data were collected through the Sociodemographic Information Form, the Gender Roles Attitude Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Guilt and Shame Scale. IBM SPSS 26 and PROCESS Macro 4 were used in the analysis of the data obtained.The results of the study showed that there were positive and significant relationships between gender role attitudes and guilt, and negative and significant relationships between gender role attitudes and shame. No significant relationship was found between gender role attitudes and self-esteem. While no significant relationship was found between guilt and self-esteem, it was determined that self-esteem decreased as the level of shame increased. As a result of the parallel mediation analysis, the total indirect effect calculated through guilt and shame was found to be significant. When the mediating variables were examined separately, it was found that guilt did not mediate the relationship between gender role attitudes and self-esteem, whereas shame played a significant mediating role in this relationship. The results of the study showed that the indirect relationship between gender role attitudes and self-esteem among women was mediated by shame.