The Relationship between Social Identity, Sports Enjoyment and Intention to Continue Sport: A Study on Athletes Competing in University Sports

Öz

Despite all the scientifically proven positive effects of sport and physical activity, the majority of young people do not participate in sport or physical activity, and a significant proportion of those who do eventually drop out. The enjoyment of sports activities, which usually take place in a group or team environment, may affect individuals' decisions to continue sports. In this context, the aim of the study is to reveal the potential mediating effect of enjoying sports on the relationship between social identity perceptions of athletes competing in university teams and their intention to continue sports. The sampling frame of the study consists of athletes competing in university teams. The data obtained from a total of 214 individuals by convenience sampling method were analyzed with SPSS and AMOS statistical programs. Three dimensions of social identity (in-group ties, cognitive centrality and in-group affect) were found to have a significant effect on the enjoyment of physical activity. The findings suggest that university students' having social relationships with their teams (the social identity designed) is associated with higher levels of enjoyment of sports. In addition, the findings reveal that the level of enjoyment from sport serves as an important mediator in influencing individuals' intention to continue with sport. Social identity formation in university sports is an important part of student athletes' sport experiences due to their enjoyment of sport.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Social identity
• sports enjoyment
• intention to continue sport
• university teams
• athletes

Sosyal Kimlik, Spordan Keyif Alma ve Spora Devam Etme Niyeti Arasındaki İlişki: Üniversite Sporlarında Mücadele Eden Sporcular Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Öz

Spor ve fiziksel aktivitenin bilimsel olarak kanıtlanmış tüm olumlu etkilerine rağmen, gençlerin büyük bir çoğunluğu spor veya fiziksel aktivitelere katılmamakta ve katılanların dikkate değer bir çoğunluğu zamanla ilgili faaliyetleri bırakmaktadır. Genellikle bir grup veya takım ortamında gerçekleşen spor aktivitelerinden alınan keyif bireylerin spora devam etme kararını etkileyebilir. Bu kapsamda araştırmanın amacı, üniversite takımlarında mücadele eden sporcuların sosyal kimlik algıları ile spora devam etme niyetleri arasındaki ilişkide spordan keyif almanın potansiyel aracılık etkisini ortaya koymaktır. Araştırmanın örneklem çerçevesi üniversite takımlarında mücadele eden sporculardan oluşmaktadır. Kolayda örnekleme yöntemi ile toplam 214 bireyden elde edilen veriler SPSS ve AMOS istatistik programlarıyla analiz edilmiştir. Sosyal kimliğin üç boyutunun (grup içi bağlar, bilişsel merkeziyet ve grup içi etki) fiziksel aktiviteden keyif alma üzerinde anlamlı bir etkiye sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bulgular, üniversite öğrencilerinin takımlarıyla sosyal ilişkilerinin (oluşturulan sosyal kimliğin) olması spordan daha yüksek düzeyde keyif almalarıyla ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Ek olarak bulgular, spordan alınan keyif düzeyinin bireylerin spora devam etme niyetlerini etkilemede önemli bir aracılık işlevi gördüğünü ortaya koymaktadır. Üniversite sporlarında sosyal kimlik oluşturmanın, sporcu öğrencilerin spordan aldığı keyif nedeniyle spor deneyimlerinin önemli bir parçası olduğu ve spora devam etme isteklerini öngördüğü belirlenmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sosyal kimlik
• spordan keyif alma
• spora devam etme niyeti
• üniversite takımları
• sporcular

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