Psychosocial Factors Influencing the Process of Continuing in Sports: A Qualitative Study on Elite Wrestlers

Abstract

TThe purpose of this study is to examine in depth the psychosocial factors that shape the sport continuation processes of wrestlers, as well as the meanings that athletes attribute to this process. In the existing literature, sport continuation has predominantly been investigated using quantitative methods, while studies focusing on athletes’ subjective experiences and meaning-making processes remain limited. Designed within a phenomenological framework, this study employed criterion sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, to select 24 elite male wrestlers with national and international achievements. The data were analysed through thematic analysis, adhering to the fundamental principles of phenomenological inquiry. The analysis revealed three main themes: Internal Dynamics and Symbolic Motivations, The Role of the Social Environment, and Turning Points and Re-engagement Dynamics. The findings indicate that the decision to continue participation in sport is not solely based on athletic success but represents a dynamic process shaped by the interaction of psychosocial factors such as national pride and representation, coach support, and perceptions of fairness. In conclusion, the study highlights the necessity of strengthening not only physical but also psychosocial support mechanisms and institutional justice policies to ensure the career sustainability of elite athletes.

Keywords

• Elite wrestlers
• sport continuation
• psychosocial factors

Spora Devam Etme Sürecine Etki Eden Psikososyal Faktörler: Elit Güreşçiler Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, elit güreşçilerin spora devam etme süreçlerini şekillendiren psikososyal faktörleri ve sporcuların bu sürece atfettikleri anlamları derinlemesine incelemektir. Literatürde spora devamlılık genellikle nicel yöntemlerle ele alınmış, ancak sporcuların öznel deneyimlerine ve anlamlandırma süreçlerine odaklanan çalışmalar sınırlı kalmıştır. Fenomenolojik desende kurgulanan bu araştırmada, amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden ölçüt örnekleme tekniğiyle belirlenen, ulusal ve uluslararası başarılara sahip 24 elit düzey erkek güreşçi ile yarı yapılandırılmış derinlemesine görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler, fenomenolojik analizin ilkelerine uygun olarak tematik analiz yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Analiz sonucunda; “İçsel Dinamikler ve Sembolik Motivasyonlar”, “Sosyal Çevrenin Rolü” ve “Kırılma Anları ve Yeniden Bağlanma Dinamikleri” olmak üzere üç ana tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Bulgular, spora devam etme kararının yalnızca sportif başarıya değil; millî gurur ve temsil, antrenör desteği ve adalet algısı gibi psikososyal faktörlerin etkileşimine dayalı dinamik bir süreç olduğunu göstermiştir. Sonuç olarak çalışma, elit sporcuların kariyer sürdürülebilirliği için yalnızca fiziksel değil, psiko-sosyal destek mekanizmalarının ve kurumsal adalet politikalarının güçlendirilmesi gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Anahtar kelimeler: Elit güreşçiler
• spora devam etme
• psikososyal faktörler

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