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Journals / Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 20 Sayı: 2

Emotional Tendencies of Young Athletes: An Examination of Optimism and Pessimism

Genç Sporcuların Duygusal Eğilimleri: İyimserlik ve Karamsarlık Üzerine Bir İnceleme

Veli Başal(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-3536-0500
Metin Yüceant(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-6867-2183
Hüseyin Öğütcü(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0009-0000-1188-759X
Hüseyin Ünlü(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-3079-4417
Pages
526–539
Publication Date
2026-08-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

According to the findings of the study, the overall level of optimism in the sample was high, while the level of pessimism was low.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to examine the tendencies toward optimism and pessimism in sport-related life among young athletes at the high school level who participate in individual and team sports.
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Key Findings & Data:The study was conducted during the 2025–2026 academic year with 336 high school students (126 females, 210 males) studying in Aksaray province, using a correlational survey model.
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Conclusion & Impact:According to the findings of the study, the overall level of optimism in the sample was high, while the level of pessimism was low.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2025–2026 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Genç sporcular · duygusal · iyimserlik

Abstract

This study aims to examine the tendencies toward optimism and pessimism in sport-related life among young athletes at the high school level who participate in individual and team sports. The study was conducted during the 2025–2026 academic year with 336 high school students (126 females, 210 males) studying in Aksaray province, using a correlational survey model. The Personal Information Form and the Sport Optimism and Pessimism Scale (SOPS) were used as data collection instruments. According to the findings of the study, the overall level of optimism in the sample was high, while the level of pessimism was low. When evaluated in terms of the gender variable, it was determined that male students’ mean optimism scores were statistically significantly higher than those of female students. However, no significant difference was found between genders in terms of pessimism levels. Analyses conducted according to grade level (9th–12th grade) and type of sport (individual/team) revealed no statistically significant differences in either optimism or pessimism levels. In conclusion, regular and intensive participation in sports appears to strengthen positive psychological tendencies during adolescence, limit negative expectations, and provide important contributions to young athletes in terms of performance, stress management, and overall well-being. Except for the higher optimism tendency observed among male athletes, grade level and type of sport were not found to have a significant effect on these tendencies. The findings highlight the importance of early interventions aimed at supporting optimism in sport psychology practices.

Özet

Bu araştırma, lise düzeyinde bireysel ve takım sporlarıyla ilgilenen genç sporcuların spor yaşamlarına yönelik iyimserlik ve karamsarlık eğilimlerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, 2025–2026 eğitim-öğretim yılında Aksaray ilinde öğrenim gören 336 lise öğrencisi (126 kadın, 210 erkek) üzerinde kesitsel karşılaştırmalı tarama modeli kullanılarak yürütülmüştür. Veri toplama aracı olarak Kişisel Bilgi Formu ile Spor İyimserlik ve Karamsarlık Ölçeği (SİVKÖ) kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre, örneklem genelinde iyimserlik düzeyinin yüksek, karamsarlık düzeyinin ise düşük olduğu belirlenmiştir. Cinsiyet değişkeni açısından değerlendirildiğinde, kadın öğrencilerin hem iyimserlik hem de karamsarlık puan ortalamalarının erkek öğrencilere kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksek olduğu saptanmıştır (iyimserlikte orta-yüksek, karamsarlıkta küçük-orta düzeyde etki büyüklüğü). Ayrıca cinsiyet ile spor türü arasında her iki değişken için de anlamlı bir etkileşim bulunmuş; cinsiyet farkının spor türüne göre değiştiği belirlenmiştir. Sınıf düzeyine göre yapılan analizlerde hem iyimserlik hem de karamsarlık düzeylerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar saptanmış, 10. sınıf öğrencileri daha yüksek iyimserlik ve daha düşük karamsarlık puanlarıyla öne çıkarken, 11. sınıf öğrencileri daha düşük iyimserlik ve daha yüksek karamsarlık puanları göstermiştir. Buna karşın spor türüne (bireysel/takım) göre ana etki düzeyinde anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Elde edilen bulgular, sporla aktif olarak ilgilenen bu örneklemde iyimserliğin görece yüksek, karamsarlığın ise görece düşük düzeyde seyrettiğini göstermektedir; ancak araştırmanın kesitsel ve korelasyonel tasarımı nedeniyle bu örüntü spor katılımının nedensel bir sonucu olarak yorumlanamaz. Bulgular, cinsiyete duyarlı ve sınıf düzeyine göre farklılaşan psikolojik destek yaklaşımlarının değerlendirilmesi gerektiğine işaret etmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Başal, V., Yüceant, M., Öğütcü, H., Ünlü, H. (2026). Emotional Tendencies of Young Athletes: An Examination of Optimism and Pessimism. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 20 Sayı: 2, 526–539. https://doi.org/10.61962/bsd.1939053

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