Effects of Breast Cancer on Women's Psychological Health: A Review of Self-Compassion-Based Interventions in Body Image

Research on how breast cancer and its treatment affect women's psychological health is increasing day by day. There is information that the psychological health of women is affected not only in the treatment, but also during the period from cancer diagnosis to the beginning of cancer treatment. In recent years, pre-rehabilitation intervention, which is an up-to-date approach that recommends intervention in this process, comes to the fore. The problems women experience with their body images have an important place in the effects of breast cancer and its treatment on women's psychological health. Body image is defined as a conceptualized state of the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that a person feels about their physical characteristics. In recent years, interventions aimed at reducing body image problems in women with breast cancer have been increasing. Self-compassion is defined as an individual's approach to their flaws with a sincere, caring and warm attitude. The emphasis on the role of self-compassion in reducing the problems that women with breast cancer experience with body images is increasing day by day. Based on this information, in this study, the literature on the problems faced by women with breast cancer with their body image and the role of self-compassion in reducing these problems is reviewed and discussed within the scope of pre-rehabilitation intervention. Keywords: Self-compassion, breast cancer survivors, interventions for self-compassion, body image

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A QUALITATIVE STUDY TOWARD THE PERSPECTIVES OF WOMEN LIVING IN TURKEY

The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe challenges for many segments of society around the world. Previous studies focusing on women during outbreaks of diseases like Ebola show that women's lives were changed in many aspects. Thus, the present research aimed to explore the problems and proposed solutions during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic by using a qualitative method among a sample of women in Turkey (n = 728, Mage = 25.26, SD = 8.16). In an online form, participants responded to two open-ended questions about their problems during the pandemic and possible solutions to these problems. According to conventional content analysis findings, 10 main categories for the problems and 10 main categories for the proposed solutions were revealed. Problems were mainly focused on psychological and relational issues, while the proposed solutions focused on healthy coping styles. We discuss the findings in the context of the recent literature on the pandemic and the UN Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen all countries' capacities, specifically focusing on women's psychological wellbeing. Keywords COVID-19 pandemic, well-being, women in Turkey, qualitative study

IS DIGIT SUPERIORITY INDISPENSABLE WITH REGARD TO SHORT TERM MEMORY SPAN?

It is known that digits have a positive effect on the performance of short term memory (STM) span and it is called the digit superiority effect. This study aims to examine the effect of familiar stimuli (digits, colors, digit names, color names, and words) on STM span. In order to measure STM capacity, a memory span task was used including the digit, word, and color span lists. 91 participants (44 female, 47 male) aged between 18-27 (M = 21,43, SD = 1.50) participated in the study that consisted of three different experiments. Results of Experiment 1 revealed that there was a significant difference between the digit name and word with regard to span size and total span. In Experiment 2 and 3, the main effect of familiar stimulus type on total span and span size was significant, and also the difference between all types of stimuli was significant (Experiment II, digit name>word=color name; Experiment III, digit>digit name>color name>color). The common result obtained from all experiments is that digits are superior with regard to STM span than other familiar stimuli types such as words, color names, colors. This study confirmed that digit superiority effect is indispensable on verbal and visual STM span. Keywords Digit superiority, short term memory, memory span

Investigation of Factors Associated with Psychological Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a traumatic experience. Those diagnosed with breast cancer often experience psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress. However, traumatic experiences do not only cause psychological symptoms, but also can lead to positive changes named as posttraumatic growth (PTG). In the present study, it was aimed to examine both the psychological symptom (depression, anxiety, stress) and PTG levels of women with breast cancer and the relationship of these variables with core beliefs challenge and rumination types. Sociodemographic and Cancer-Related Information Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Core Beliefs Inventory, and Event-Related Rumination Inventory were applied to 201 women with breast cancer diagnosis (Mage = 47.81, SD = 8.58), mediation relations of variables were examined with Process Macro. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the psychological symptom levels of the majority of the participants were low and their PTG levels were above medium. It was determined that core beliefs challenge positively predicted depression, anxiety, stress, and PTG. Intrusive rumination mediated the relationship between core beliefs challenge and depression, anxiety and stress; deliberate rumination mediated the relationship between core beliefs challenge and PTG. In other words, as the core belief challenge of the participants increase, both psychological symptom and PTG levels increase. In addition, those who use intrusive rumination experience more psychological symptom, and those who use deliberate rumination experience more PTG. The present study reveals the importance of cognitive processes in understanding the psychological symptoms and PTG in women with breast cancer. Keywords: Breast cancer, psychological symptom, posttraumatic growth, core belief challenge, event-related rumination

Intersectional Discrimination: Definition, Scope, and Migration Research from the perspective of Intersectionality

Along with the widespread rise in immigration and the increase in the number of immigrants, academic interest in migration research has also grown. Although there are many studies conducted in various fields, the number of studies who approached migration from an intersectional perspective is rather small. The number of studies approaching migration and the social psychological processes of migrants from the perspective of intersectionality is even smaller in Turkey. Considering the large number of immigrants in Turkey, it is obviously essential to understand and study intersectionality in these particular contexts. Therefore, this article is written to explicate the concept of intersectionality and review migration studies adopting an intersectional approach. The basis of the concept of intersectionality, historical background that led to the birth of it, its subtypes as well as the importance of race, class and gender in intersectionality are among the issues discussed in this article. Moreover, with respect to migration studies from the perspective of intersectionality, studies conducted in various culturally diverse countries are outlined. The last but not the least, the prominence of conducting research on intersectionality in the Turkish context is also emphasized. In this review, we aim to present the literature to students and academics in the field as well as to provide direction for future research. Keywords: Migration, intersectionality, intersectional discrimination

Examination of Mother Characteristics Affecting The Maternal Gatekeeping

There are many factors that effect maternal gatekeeping, which is defined as the behaviors of mothers that encourage, control or discourage the father-child relationship. In this study, it is aimed to examine the mother characteristics that affect the gatekeeping behaviors of mothers who have children in early childhood. The sample of the study consists of 385 mothers with a mean age of 32.71 (S = 7.61). Participants completed the Maternal Gatekeeping Scale, Parental Self-Efficacy Scale, Gender Roles Attitude Scale, Semantic Differentation Scale-Myself as Mother, Perception Measurement for Father’s Role, Parenting Daily Hassles Scale and demographic information form. According to the results of the hierarchical regression analysis conducted separately for each gatekeeping behavior; mother's perception of paternal role, perception of father's competence and motherhood self-assessment predicted the encouragement dimension positively and discouragement dimension negatively. In addition, it was found that the traditional gender roles of the mother negatively predicted the encouragement, but positively predicted the control. Finally, it was found that daily difficulties experienced by the mother in raising a child positively predicted discouragement and control. It is thought that the results obtained from the study are important in terms of understanding the mother characteristics underlying maternal gatekeeping behaviors and being a guide for intervention programs. Keywords: Maternal gatekeeping, maternal self-assessment, traditional gender roles, paternity role perception, paternal competence

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRAFFIC SIGN COMPREHENSION AND RISKY TRAFFIC BEHAVIORS

The current study investigates the relationship between risky traffic behaviors and traffic sign comprehension (TSC). It is hypothesized that, as traffic sign comprehension increases, unsafe traffic behaviors decrease. The data were collected online through Qualtrics from 275 participants, 177 of whom were drivers. The questionnaire package included 25 open-ended traffic sign questions, Pedestrian Behavior Scale, Mini-Driver Behavior Questionnaire with 3 additional aggressive violation items, and a demographic information form. The results indicated that TSC was significantly related to reported driver errors and lapses after controlling for age and gender. In addition, pedestrian-related TSC was significantly related to reported pedestrian transgressions, lapses, aggressive behaviors, and positive behaviors after controlling for age, gender, driver's license, and driving experience. Generally, the results were consistent with the expectations: the better that road users (drivers and pedestrians) understand traffic signs, the fewer drivers and pedestrians reported unsafe behaviors (errors and lapses for drivers; transgressions, aggressive behaviors, and lapses for pedestrians), and the more pedestrians reported positive behaviors. This finding can be explained by the fact that as the need of people to understand traffic signs increases, they avoid behaviors that will lead to accidents in traffic. For this reason, it can be predicted that comprehensively introducing children to traffic signs from an early age will contribute positively to road safety.

The Mediating Role of Perfectionism and Defense Mechanisms in The Relationship between Personality Traits and Narcissism

In this study, it is aimed to examine the relationships between perfectionism, defense mechanisms and basic personality traits and vulnerable and grandiose narcissism. Besides, it is aimed to determine the mediating role of defense mechanisms and perfectionism in the relationship between basic personality traits and vulnerable and grandiose narcissism. The sample of the study consists of 403 volunteer participants whose ages are between 18-60. In this study, data were collected by using Demographic Information Form, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40), Basic Personality Traits Inventory (BPTI), and Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory-Short Form (FFNI). Among the continuous variables of the study, it was identified that there were correlations ranging from .09 to .50. In addition, according to the mediation (mediator) analysis results, it was revealed that the immature defense group and concern over mistakes had mediation role in the relationship between negative valence, which is one of the basic personality traits and grandiose narcissism; immature defense group and personal standards had mediation role in the relationship between openness to development and grandiose narcissism. Also, it was found that the immature defense group and concern over mistakes had mediation role in the relationship between negative valence and vulnerable narcissism; the immature defense group, concern over mistakes and doubt about actions had mediation role in the relationship between neuroticism and vulnerable narcissism. It has been observed that total four significant models explain 30% to 38% of the variance. In the light of the current results, the evaluation of some personality traits associated with vulnerable and grandiose narcissism and the effect of immatur defenses and perfectionism in this relationship may contribute positively to the understanding and treatment process of narcissistic personal traits. Keywords Grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, basic personality traits, perfectionism, defense mechanisms

A Review on the Cultural Characteristics of Mentalization and Relations with Psychological Symptoms

Mentalization is the ability to surmise the mental states such as thoughts, wishes, intentions, needs and feelings behind one’s own and others’ behaviors. Mentalization has been an important concept in understanding personality development and psychopathology in recent years. However, the cultural factors that affect mentalization is an understudied area, which has also not been investigated in Turkey. In this review, the development of the concept of mentalization will be explored comparing individualistic and collectivistic cultures. The specific mentalization characteristics that may emerge in Turkey are discussed. With this aim, the concept of mentalization, its development and the kinds of mentalization impairments that emerge in psychopathology are discussed. Afterwards, the effects of culture on mentalization are discussed with reference to recent empirical literature. Specifically, the effects of cultural context on the development of theory mind, affective and cognitive mentalization, self and other-focused mentalization, explicit and implicit mentalization are explored. The reviewed studies suggest that in collectivistic cultures, individuals tend to others’ mental states and socially accepted objective norms more than their own internal states and refrain from strong emotions such as anger that may disrupt the social harmony. Moreover implicit mentalization is less affected by culture. Based on the reviewed studies, culturally sensitive suggestions are provided regarding how to conduct mentalization assessments and practices. Keywords: Mentalization, culture, individualism, collectivism, psychotherapy

A Social Psychological Review on Women’s Surname Change after Marriage and Divorce

Surname is an integral part of a person’s identity. However, surname which has many psychological and social meanings for the person is changed only for women after marriage. In this regard, the purpose of the article is to review the factors affecting women’s decisions regarding surname choice after marriage and divorce, as well as explaining the stereotypes and attitudes towards women who made traditional or untraditional name choices. In terms of the marital surname choice, women may adopt husband’s surname, hyphenate their birth surname and their husband’s surname, and retain only their birth surname. In this context, we presented not only related demographic variables such as age, socio-economic level, education level, and political orientation but also social psychological variables such as emphasis on family/motherhood, sexism, feminist identification, religiosity and perceived social norms. Then, studies focusing on the attitudes and stereotypes towards women who make different marital surname choices were presented. The traditional surname change was also considered in terms of patriarchy and gender-based discrimination. Additionally, possible effects of the post-divorce surname change on a woman's life were mentioned. In the conclusion part, the effects of surname change at the individual and societal level were discussed in parallel with the issues mentioned in the current article and further possible research ideas were suggested. Keywords: Surname change, surname choice, marriage, divorce, sexism, attitudes, stereotype