Research Article

The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes

Volume: 28 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
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The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes

Abstract

This study intended to reveal the mediating relationship of forgiveness in the relationship between cognitive flexibility, decision-making, and happiness of athletes aged 18 and over through structural equation modeling. A total of 618 licensed athletes participated in the study, and the data were collected from volunteer participants using the "Forgiveness Decision Scale", "Cognitive Flexibility Scale", "Natural Decision-Making Scale" and "Happiness Scale". The results indicated that athletes’ forgiveness was the full mediator in the relationship between decision-making and happiness, and the partial mediator in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and happiness. The mediation study carried out offers clues to identify and eliminate the negativities on the way to the success of the athletes.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 28 Number: 1

APA
Kara, M., & Kara, N. Ş. (2026). The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 28(1), 34-50. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1695334
AMA
1.Kara M, Kara NŞ. The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes. Turk J Sport Exe. 2026;28(1):34-50. doi:10.15314/tsed.1695334
Chicago
Kara, Mehmet, and Nuriye Şeyma Kara. 2026. “The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 28 (1): 34-50. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1695334.
EndNote
Kara M, Kara NŞ (April 1, 2026) The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 28 1 34–50.
IEEE
[1]M. Kara and N. Ş. Kara, “The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes”, Turk J Sport Exe, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 34–50, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.15314/tsed.1695334.
ISNAD
Kara, Mehmet - Kara, Nuriye Şeyma. “The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 28/1 (April 1, 2026): 34-50. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1695334.
JAMA
1.Kara M, Kara NŞ. The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes. Turk J Sport Exe. 2026;28:34–50.
MLA
Kara, Mehmet, and Nuriye Şeyma Kara. “The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, vol. 28, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 34-50, doi:10.15314/tsed.1695334.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Kara, Nuriye Şeyma Kara. The Instrumental Role of Forgiving In The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Decision-Making and Happiness In Athletes. Turk J Sport Exe. 2026 Apr. 1;28(1):34-50. doi:10.15314/tsed.1695334

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