Examination of Psychological Maladjustment, Cognitive Flexibility, and Psychological Well-Being Levels in Teacher Candidates According to Sports Participation

Year 2025, Issue: Advanced Online Publication, 667 - 679

Mustafa Doğan , Murat Ozan

https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1758907

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine pre-service teachers’ levels of psychological maladjustment (depression, anxiety, stress), cognitive flexibility, and psychological well-being in relation to various demographic variables and their participation in sports.
Method: The study was conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year with a total of 815 pre-service teachers—522 females and 293 males—studying at Atatürk University's Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education and Faculty of Sports Sciences. The research employed a correlational survey model. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. For data analysis, Independent Samples t-Test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis were used. The significance level was set at p<0.05.
Findings: Pre-service teachers who engage in sports were found to have higher levels of psychological well-being and cognitive flexibility, and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those who do not engage in sports. Significant negative correlations were found between psychological maladjustment and both cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being. A significant positive correlation was also found between psychological well-being and cognitive flexibility.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that regular physical activity plays an important role in supporting the psychological resilience of pre-service teachers. It was concluded that individuals with high cognitive flexibility also tend to have higher levels of psychological well-being and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Keywords

Pre-Service Teachers , Sports , Psychological Maladjustment , Cognitive Flexibility , Psychological Well-Being

Ethical Statement

This article is derived from a master's thesis.

Thanks

The language editing of this manuscript was assisted by artificial intelligence tools.

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