The role of physical activity in the psychosocial empowerment of woman: An examination of the Cinderella Complex
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https://doi.org/10.70736/ijoess.1725Keywords:
Cinderella complex, Physical activity, Self-confidenceAbstract
The rationale behind this study is based on the assumption that participation in physical activity may enhance women’s self-confidence and sense of independence, thereby reducing gendered attitudes and the expectation of being rescued—both of which are foundational to the Cinderella Complex. This study aims to examine the levels of the Cinderella Complex among women who are engaged in emotional relationships and participate in physical activities, with a focus on various demographic variables. This quantitative study, designed in a survey model, included 207 women over the age of 18 living in Aydın, Türkiye, who reported being in an emotional relationship. Data were collected using the Cinderella Complex Scale and a demographic information form prepared by the researcher. Normal distribution was confirmed for the dataset, and parametric tests were used in the analysis. In addition, the relationship between the duration of participation in physical activity and the Cinderella Complex was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The findings revealed that participants’ levels of the Cinderella Complex were moderate overall. Higher scores were associated with lower levels of education, having children, and shorter durations of participation in physical activity. Notably, women who had engaged in regular physical activity for 12 months or more exhibited significantly lower levels of the Cinderella Complex. These differences were particularly evident in the subdimensions of gendered attitudes and career renunciation. The results suggest that women with lower education levels and those who identified strongly with motherhood roles were more likely to internalize traditional gender roles. Conversely, women who participated regularly in physical activity showed reduced tendencies to avoid responsibility and demonstrated higher levels of individual autonomy. At the subscale level, these findings indicate that physical activity may play a mitigating role in the psychological components of the Cinderella Complex.
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