Relationship Between Professional Beliefs and Future Anxiety Levels of Physical Education and Sports Teacher Candidates: The Case of Adıyaman Province
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the professional beliefs of physical education and sports teacher candidates and their levels of future anxiety.
Method: The study group consisted of 173 preservice physical education and sports teachers enrolled in the Physical Education and Sports Teaching Program at Adıyaman University during the 2024–2025 academic year. Research data were collected through the Belief Scale toward the Physical Education and Sports Teaching Profession, the Future Anxiety Scale for University Students, and the Personal Information Form, and analyses were carried out using SPSS 26. Independent-samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used for group comparisons, with Bonferroni or Tamhane’s T2 post hoc tests as appropriate. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine relationships among scale scores.
Results: The mean professional belief score was 5.97±1.08 and the mean future anxiety score was 2.54±0.71. Total professional belief and total future anxiety were not significantly correlated (r = −.106, p = .165). Professional belief differed significantly by maternal employment status (total score and both subdimensions), while Love of Profession was higher among participants with professional experience. Future-anxiety outcomes differed significantly by age, grade level, GPA, place of residence, maternal education, and licensed-athlete status in the total score and/or relevant subdimensions. No significant differences in total future anxiety were found according to gender, family income, sport type, coaching-certificate status, or professional experience.
Conclusion: In this sample, total professional belief and total future anxiety were not significantly related. Future-anxiety outcomes varied across selected demographic and sports-related characteristics, whereas professional belief differed for fewer characteristics. Because the study was cross-sectional and correlational, causal or protective effects cannot be inferred.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Physical Training and Sports Pedagogy
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
October 19, 2026
Submission Date
September 3, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 22, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2026