Browsing by Author "Kocak, Orhan"

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Acceptance of Diversity, Social Media Use, and Labeling of Refugees in Türkiye: A Mediation Analysis from a Social Work Perspective
(Routledge, 2025) Aslan, Yavuz; Kocak, Orhan
This study examines the relationships between acceptance of diversity, social media use, and the labeling of refugees in Türkiye, focusing on the mediating role of social media use. Grounded in Goffman’s Labeling Theory and approached from a social work perspective, the study utilized a cross-sectional, correlational design. Data were collected from 431 participants via an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that acceptance of diversity was negatively associated with social media use and the labeling of refugees, while social media use was positively associated with refugee labeling. Moreover, social media use mediated the relationship between acceptance of diversity and labeling. These results underscore the dual role of social media as both a space for intercultural communication and a platform for spreading exclusionary narratives. The study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of promoting inclusive digital environments. It provides practical implications for developing anti-discriminatory interventions within social work practice and media literacy programs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
The Association Between Self-Esteem and Physical Aggression in Elementary School Students in Türkiye: the Role of Being a Victim as Mediator
(Springer, 2025) Kocak, Orhan; Semerci, Melike; Aslan, Yavuz; 09.05. Department of Child Development / Çocuk Gelişimi Bölümü; 9. Faculty of Health Sciences / Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi; 01. Mardin Artuklu University / Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi
Childhood and early adolescence play a crucial role in shaping individuals' attitudes and behaviours through the cultivation of self-esteem. While this dynamic may differ among various age groups, self-esteem is anticipated to serve as a protective factor against peer bullying and aggression, particularly within the school setting. The present study aimed to explore the associations between self-esteem, experiences of victimisation, and engagement in physical aggression. This research, structured as a cross-sectional quantitative inquiry, involved administering an online survey to 445 primary and middle school students in T & uuml;rkiye. Descriptive and correlation analysis was performed with the SPSS 22.0 program, and mediation analysis was performed with the IBM AMOS 24 program. Being a victim was found to have a mediating effect on the relationship between self-esteem and physical aggression. Self-esteem reduces physical aggression by reducing being a victim. In this context, educators and policymakers need to focus their efforts to increase self-esteem while developing programs to prevent peer bullying and aggression in schools.
The Impact of Family Belonging on Life Satisfaction in Türkiye: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2025) Aslan, Yavuz; Kocak, Orhan; Bayram, Mahmure Nur; 09.05. Department of Child Development / Çocuk Gelişimi Bölümü; 9. Faculty of Health Sciences / Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi; 01. Mardin Artuklu University / Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi
This study aims to investigate the relationships between family belonging, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among individuals in T & uuml;rkiye, focusing on the mediating role of self-efficacy. Using a cross-sectional design, the study collected data from 701 participants through an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that family belonging positively influenced self-efficacy and life satisfaction. In addition, self-efficacy positively influenced life satisfaction. Moreover, self-efficacy acted as an important mediator that enhanced the positive effect of family belongingness on life satisfaction. The results emphasize the importance of emotional and psychological support in the family environment in enhancing self-efficacy and, thus, life satisfaction. This study addresses an important gap in existing literature and offers practical implications for designing family-based interventions and programs to enhance individuals' self-efficacy and overall quality of life.
The Impact of Perceived Family Social Support on Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults in Türkiye During Covid-19: Mediating Roles of Loneliness and Coping Strategies
(Oxford Univ Press, 2025) Aslan, Yavuz; Kocak, Orhan; 09.05. Department of Child Development / Çocuk Gelişimi Bölümü; 9. Faculty of Health Sciences / Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi; 01. Mardin Artuklu University / Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi
This study investigates the relationships between perceived family social support, loneliness, coping strategies, and life satisfaction among older adults in T & uuml;rkiye during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, focusing on the mediating roles of loneliness and coping strategies. Using a cross-sectional design, the study collected data from 501 participants. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that perceived family social support is positively associated with both coping strategies and life satisfaction and negatively associated with loneliness. In addition, loneliness was found to negatively impact life satisfaction, while coping strategies had a positive effect. Furthermore, loneliness and coping strategies significantly mediate the relationship between perceived family social support and life satisfaction. These results provide essential insights for social workers and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of supportive family environments to improve the well-being of older adults. This study delves into the crucial role of perceived family social support in enhancing life satisfaction among older adults in T & uuml;rkiye during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. By exploring the mediating effects of coping strategies and loneliness, the research offers valuable insights into how social support can mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic on the elderly population. The findings highlight the importance of family involvement and targeted interventions in improving the overall well-being of older adults during challenging times.
Psychological Resilience and Trait Anxiety as Mediators in the Relationship Between Perceived Family Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Youth
(Taylor & Francis inc, 2025) Kocak, Orhan; Aslan, Yavuz; Bezirkan, Havva Sena
PurposeThis study examines the impact of perceived family social support on youth life satisfaction, focusing on the mediating roles of psychological resilience and trait anxiety.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 626 participants via an online survey. A convenience sampling method was used. Analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) path analysis, were conducted using SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 softwareResultsThe findings indicate that perceived family social support positively influences psychological resilience and life satisfaction while reducing trait anxiety. Psychological resilience lowers trait anxiety; however, its direct effect on life satisfaction is insignificant. Trait anxiety, on the other hand, negatively affects life satisfaction and acts as a mediator between perceived family social support and life satisfaction. Additionally, psychological resilience plays an indirect role in the effect of perceived family social support on life satisfaction through trait anxiety.DiscussionThe results suggest that perceived family support enhances resilience and reduces anxiety among youth, contributing to greater life satisfaction. These findings underscore the complex interplay between these variables and highlight the mediating roles of psychological resilience and trait anxiety.ConclusionThis study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that perceived family support enhances life satisfaction by strengthening psychological resilience and reducing trait anxiety. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of fostering family-based support systems to promote youth well-being.
Roles of Loneliness and Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Perceived Friend Social Support, Positive Feelings About the Future and Loss of Motivation
(Elsevier, 2025) Aslan, Yavuz; Kocak, Orhan; Kaya, Aysel Basmaci; Alkhulayfi, Abdulmohsen Mohammed Abdullah; Gomez-Salgado, Juan; Yildirim, Murat
Purpose: University students often face psychological challenges, particularly loneliness and hopelessness, which are exacerbated by factors such as limited social interactions, economic uncertainty, lack of employment opportunities, and the increasing prevalence of online education. This study aims to investigate the relationships among perceived friend social support, loneliness, life satisfaction, and the sub-dimensions of hopelessness, which are positive feelings about the future and loss of motivation. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 420 university students who completed a series of self-reported measures, including the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Findings: The findings revealed that perceived friend social support was positively associated with life satisfaction and positive future feelings and negatively associated with loneliness and loss of motivation. Both loneliness and life satisfaction individually and serially mediated the relationships between social support and the dimensions of hopelessness. Conclusion: These results highlight the crucial role of friend-based social support in alleviating loneliness and improving life satisfaction, thereby fostering optimism and preventing motivational decline among students. The findings provide valuable insights for designing interventions to enhance emotional well-being and psychological resilience among university populations.
Understanding How Sport Activity Shapes Work Attitudes: The Mediating Role of Impulsivity Among Social Welfare Professionals
(Routledge, 2025) Aslan, Yavuz; Kocak, Orhan; Buber, Betul
Purpose: This study investigates the relationships between living with sports (sport-oriented lifestyle), impulsivity, and attitudes toward working life among social welfare professionals in Türkiye, with a specific focus on the mediating role of impulsivity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 1,534 participants aged 18 and older via an online survey. The majority of the sample consisted of women (67.2%), with a mean age of 28.96 years. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS for preliminary statistics and IBM AMOS for confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: Living with sports was negatively associated with impulsivity (β = –0.072, p <.05) and positively associated with attitudes toward working life (β = 0.064, p <.05). Impulsivity was negatively related to attitudes toward working life (β = –0.185, p <.001) and significantly mediated the relationship between living with sports and work attitudes (β = 0.013, p <.05). The model accounted for 5.5% of the variance in impulsivity and 4.4% in attitudes toward working life. Discussion: The study results suggest that a lifestyle enriched by regular sports participation can reduce impulsive tendencies and support the development of more positive work attitudes among social welfare professionals. Conclusion: This study provides novel empirical evidence on the triadic relationship between sport-oriented lifestyle, impulsivity, and work attitudes. It highlights the importance of integrating sport-based activities into organizational strategies to support emotional regulation, well-being, and sustainable professional engagement in social services. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.