The mediating role of mental well-being in the relationship between perceived social support and post-traumatic growth in women who have experienced violence

Abstract

This research aims to examine the mediating role of mental well-being and perceived social support in the post- traumatic growth processes of women who have experienced violence. The data were collected from 132 female volunteers living in Istanbul, who had experienced violence, stayed in a women's shelter or had not stayed before. Data were analyzed using the Hayes Process (Model 4) method with SPSS 26 for multiple linear regression analysis. Relationships between variables were resolved with Pearson Correlation analysis. The findings showed that there were positive relationships between post-traumatic growth and mental well-being, and a positive relationship with perceived social support. On the other hand, it was found that there is a positive and significant relationship between perceived social support and mental well-being. It has been observed that mental well-being partially mediates perceived social support and post-traumatic growth. The final finding of the study indicates that women who did not stay in women's shelters had significant and higher scores in perceived social support compared to those who stayed in women's shelters. These findings show that mental well-being and social support have an important place in the post-traumatic growth process in women who have experienced violence. These results are discussed in the context of the literature.