Journals / Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar / 2026 / Cilt: 18 Sayı: 3

Involuntary Celibacy in Adolescence: Psychosocial Factors and the Role of the Family

Ergenlik Döneminde İstemsiz Bekârlık: Psikososyal Faktörler ve Ailenin Rolü

Belgin Üstün Güllü(DÜZCE ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN-EDEBİYAT FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-7093-3883
Pages
938–948
Publication Date
2026-04-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This review article will discuss the definition of involuntary celibacy, a new concept for both researchers and parents, its causes, the role of the family in this process, and its treatment.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Involuntary celibacy is the state in which an individual desires a romantic or sexual relationship but is unable to sustain or is rejected.
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Key Findings & Data:This situation occurs not only in adulthood but also during adolescence.
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Conclusion & Impact:This review article will discuss the definition of involuntary celibacy, a new concept for both researchers and parents, its causes, the role of the family in this process, and its treatment.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:İstemsiz bekarlık · incel · ergenlik

Abstract

Involuntary celibacy is the state in which an individual desires a romantic or sexual relationship but is unable to sustain or is rejected. This situation occurs not only in adulthood but also during adolescence. Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood. Social isolation or the inability to form relationships during this period can exacerbate long-term low self-confidence, anxiety disorders, and feelings of loneliness. The causes of involuntary celibacy in adolescence are multifaceted. Social skill deficits, low self-esteem, concerns about appearance, peer bullying, negative body image, unrealistic relationship expectations brought on by digitalization, and emotional immaturity are among the primary causes. Idealized relationship expectations, particularly those created by the influence of social media, can cause an adolescent to distance themselves from real-life relationships. The role of the family in this process is highly decisive. Overprotective or oppressive parental attitudes can hinder the development of a child's autonomy and relationship-building skills. Similarly, emotional neglect, neglect, and abuse can also lead to an adolescent's inability to develop secure attachments and healthy relationships. Healthy communication, supportive attitudes, and role model behaviors within the family environment positively impact an adolescent's self-development and social skills. Involuntary celibacy during adolescence is a multilayered phenomenon shaped not only by individual but also by environmental and familial factors. This review article will discuss the definition of involuntary celibacy, a new concept for both researchers and parents, its causes, the role of the family in this process, and its treatment.

Özet

İstemsiz bekârlık, bireyin romantik ya da cinsel bir ilişki yaşamak istemesine rağmen bu ilişkileri sürdürememesi ya da reddedilmesi durumudur. Bu durum yalnızca yetişkinlik döneminde değil, ergenlik döneminde de karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Ergenlik, çocukluktan yetişkinliğe geçiş dönemidir. Bu dönemde ortaya çıkan sosyal izolasyon veya yetersiz sosyal ilişki kurma durumu, uzun vadede özgüven eksikliği, kaygı bozuklukları ve yalnızlık duygusunun derinleşmesine yol açabilir. İstemsiz bekârlığın ergenlikteki nedenleri çok boyutludur. Sosyal beceri eksiklikleri, düşük benlik saygısı, dış görünüşle ilgili kaygılar, akran zorbalığı, olumsuz beden algısı, dijitalleşmenin getirdiği gerçeklikten uzak ilişki beklentileri ve duygusal olgunlaşmamışlık başlıca nedenler arasındadır. Özellikle sosyal medyanın etkisiyle oluşan idealize edilmiş ilişki beklentileri, ergenin gerçek hayat ilişkilerinden uzaklaşmasına neden olabilir. Ailenin bu süreçteki rolü oldukça belirleyicidir. Aşırı koruyucu veya baskıcı ebeveyn tutumları, çocuğun özerklik ve ilişki kurma becerilerinin gelişmesini engelleyebilir. Aynı şekilde, duygusal ihmal veya ilgisizlik ile istismar da ergenin güvenli bağlanma geliştirememesine ve sağlıklı ilişkiler kuramamasına yol açabilir. Aile ortamındaki sağlıklı iletişim, destekleyici tutumlar ve rol model davranışlar, ergenin benlik gelişimini ve sosyal becerilerini olumlu yönde etkiler. Ergenlikte istemsiz bekârlık sadece bireysel değil, çevresel ve ailevi faktörlerle şekillenen çok katmanlı bir olgudur. Bu derleme makalede araştırmacılar için olduğu kadar anne babalar için de yeni bir kavram olan istemsiz bekârlığın ne olduğu, nedenleri, ailenin bu süreçteki rolü ve tedavisi tartışılacaktır.

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Cite This Article

Güllü, B. Ü. (2026). Involuntary Celibacy in Adolescence: Psychosocial Factors and the Role of the Family. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 3, 938–948. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1760649

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