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Exploring the Mediating Role of Depression and Positive Orientation in the Relationship between Positive Psychological Factors and Aggression among Turkish College Students

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Abstract

The current study was designed based on the life balance areas of positive orientation and depression. General mattering and life satisfaction are important positive psychological factors for individuals. The purpose of the study was to investigate both theoretical and empirical gaps in our knowledge of whether general mattering and life satisfaction, which are positive psychology elements, predict aggression among college students. Turkish college students (n = 1467) participated in the study. The results revealed life satisfaction and general mattering had direct effects on positive orientation and indirect effects on depression and aggression. Positive orientation and depression were significant mediators between positive psychology factors and aggression. In this sense, the current study serves the science-practitioner model with the implications for research and practice.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Liberal Arts, American University of the Middle East, Egaila, Kuwait

    Mehmet Akif Karaman

  2. Department of Medical Education, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Halil İbrahim Sarı

  3. Department of Counseling, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA

    Javier Cavazos Vela

  4. Department of Leadership and Counselor Education, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA

    Richard S. Balkin

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  1. Mehmet Akif Karaman
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Correspondence to Mehmet Akif Karaman.

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This study has been approved by the Kilis 7 Aralik University Research Ethics Committee. Consent forms were delivered to participants and those who agreed to attend study were included.

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The first and last authors of the study are the editorial board members of the journal. Therefore, they were excluded from the peer review process. In addition, they excluded themselves from handling the manuscript. Another Editor was assigned to assume responsibility for overseeing peer review. The submission was subject to the exact same review process as any other manuscript. The submission was not given any priority over other manuscripts, and Editorial Board Member status has no bearing on editorial consideration.

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Karaman, M.A., Sarı, H.İ., Vela, J.C. et al. Exploring the Mediating Role of Depression and Positive Orientation in the Relationship between Positive Psychological Factors and Aggression among Turkish College Students. Int J Adv Counselling 45, 385–402 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-023-09513-4

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