Research Article

Women's Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli

Volume: 9 Number: 2 October 30, 2026
TR EN

Women's Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine women's motivation for sports participation in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, psychological resilience, and life satisfaction, and to explore their perceptions of sports experiences from a social sustainability perspective. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 277 women residing in Kocaeli, Türkiye, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 20 women. Quantitative data were analyzed using independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that participants demonstrated a moderate-to-high level of motivation for sports participation (112.84 ± 16.57). Sports participation motivation was positively and significantly correlated with psychological resilience (r = .54, p < .001) and life satisfaction (r = .48, p < .001). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that life satisfaction (β = .387, p < .001) was the strongest predictor of sports participation motivation. Psychological resilience (β = .312, p < .001), income level, educational attainment, and employment status also made significant contributions to the model. The qualitative findings were organized into four themes: motivations for engaging in sports, the effects of sports on psychological well-being, social relationships and sense of belonging, and barriers to sports participation. Participants described sports as a "breathing space" that promotes psychological relief, a "process of rebuilding" that fosters personal empowerment, and a social environment that enhances belonging. Time constraints, family responsibilities, financial limitations, and gender-based social expectations were identified as the primary barriers to sports participation. Overall, women's motivation for sports participation emerged as a multidimensional construct shaped by the interaction of psychological, social, and sociodemographic factors. Participation in sports appears to strengthen psychological resilience, enhance life satisfaction, and promote a stronger sense of social belonging. Policies and interventions aimed at increasing women's participation in sports should not only foster individual motivation but also strengthen social support systems and address structural barriers that limit participation.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Urban Studies Graduate Research Support Program under contract number 92.

Project Number

92

Ethical Statement

Selçuk University Faculty of Nursing Scientific Research Ethics Board

Thanks

This study was supported by the Urban Studies Graduate Research Support Program under contract number 92.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Activity and Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Lök, N., & Lök, S. (2026). Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 9(2), 105-117. https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC
AMA
1.Lök N, Lök S. Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli. Turk J Sport Sci. 2026;9(2):105-117. https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC
Chicago
Lök, Neslihan, and Sefa Lök. 2026. “Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli”. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 9 (2): 105-17. https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC.
EndNote
Lök N, Lök S (October 1, 2026) Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 9 2 105–117.
IEEE
[1]N. Lök and S. Lök, “Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli”, Turk J Sport Sci, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 105–117, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC
ISNAD
Lök, Neslihan - Lök, Sefa. “Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli”. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 9/2 (October 1, 2026): 105-117. https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC.
JAMA
1.Lök N, Lök S. Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli. Turk J Sport Sci. 2026;9:105–117.
MLA
Lök, Neslihan, and Sefa Lök. “Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli”. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 2, Oct. 2026, pp. 105-17, https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC.
Vancouver
1.Neslihan Lök, Sefa Lök. Women’s Participation in Sports and Psychological Resilience: A Social Sustainability Perspective in Kocaeli. Turk J Sport Sci [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;9(2):105-17. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA79TY56CC

TÜBİTAK-ULAKBİM DERGİPARK AKADEMİK bünyesinde kurulan Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi Doçentlik başvurusu Ulusal Makale b maddesi kapsamındadır. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi (TSBD) Creative Commons Atıf-GayriTicari 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı (CC BY NC) ile lisanslanmıştır.