Journals / Uluslararası Rekreasyon ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2

The Mediating Role of Positive Self-Perception on Psychological Distress, Empathy and Mental Toughness in Athletes

Sporcularda Pozitif Benlik Algısının Psikolojik Sıkıntı, Empati ve Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Üzerindeki Aracı Rolü

Sermin Ağralı Ermiş(AYDIN ADNAN MENDERES ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-9653-233X
Nisanur Canikli Temel(AYDIN ADNAN MENDERES ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7736-8247
Rabia Yıldız Öztürk(MERSİN ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-0911-6459
Ebru Dereceli(AYDIN ADNAN MENDERES ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7021-1001
Pages
153–167
Publication Date
2025-12-22
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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

These results suggest that positive self-perception plays an important role in athletes' psychological resilience and social-emotional skills.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of positive self-perception on psychological distress, empathy, and mental resilience in athletes.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The research group consists of 303 athletes studying at a state university in the Aegean Region in the fall semester of 2024.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:These results suggest that positive self-perception plays an important role in athletes' psychological resilience and social-emotional skills.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2024 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Sporcu · benlik algısı · sıkıntı

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of positive self-perception on psychological distress, empathy, and mental resilience in athletes. The relational screening model was used in the study. The research group consists of 303 athletes studying at a state university in the Aegean Region in the fall semester of 2024. Data were collected via Google Form through an online survey form prepared with the approval of the ethics committee. Oxford Positive Self Scale, Empathy in Sports Environment Scale, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, and Mental Toughness Scale were used as data collection tools. Data were evaluated with independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression analyzes via SPSS program. According to the findings, positive significant relationships were determined between positive self-perception and empathy and mental resilience, and negative significant relationships were determined between positive self-perception and psychological distress. Regression analyses revealed that positive self-perception significantly predicted empathy and mental resilience, and was also effective in reducing psychological distress. These results suggest that positive self-perception plays an important role in athletes' psychological resilience and social-emotional skills.

Özet

Bu araştırmanın amacı, sporcularda pozitif benlik algısının psikolojik sıkıntı, empati ve zihinsel dayanıklılık üzerindeki aracı rolünü incelemektir. Çalışmada ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırma grubunu, 2024 yılı güz döneminde Ege Bölgesindeki bir devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 303 sporcu oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, etik kurul izni alınarak hazırlanan çevrim içi anket formu aracılığıyla Google Form üzerinden toplanmıştır. Veri toplama aracı olarak Oxford Pozitif Benlik Ölçeği, Spor Ortamında Empati Ölçeği, Depresyon-Anksiyete-Stres Ölçeği ve Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Veriler, SPSS programı aracılığıyla bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü ANOVA, Pearson korelasyon ve basit doğrusal regresyon analizleri ile değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre, pozitif benlik algısı ile empati ve zihinsel dayanıklılık arasında pozitif yönlü anlamlı ilişkiler, pozitif benlik algısı ile psikolojik sıkıntı arasında ise negatif yönlü anlamlı ilişkiler belirlenmiştir. Regresyon analizleri, pozitif benlik algısının empatiyi ve zihinsel dayanıklılığı anlamlı düzeyde yordadığını, aynı zamanda psikolojik sıkıntının azalmasında etkili olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu sonuçlar, pozitif benlik algısının sporcuların psikolojik sağlamlıkları ve sosyal-duygusal becerileri üzerinde önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Ermiş, S. A., Temel, N. C., Öztürk, R. Y., Dereceli, E. (2025). The Mediating Role of Positive Self-Perception on Psychological Distress, Empathy and Mental Toughness in Athletes. Uluslararası Rekreasyon ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 153–167. https://doi.org/10.46463/ijrss.1694950

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (56)

  1. Acar, K., Mor, H., Karakaş, F., Baynaz, K., & Mor, A. (2023). Takım ve bireysel sporcuların empatik eğilimleri ile prososyal-antisosyal davranışları arasındaki ilişki. Gazi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 28(2), 150–159. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1211102
  2. Akpinar, Ö., Çolakoğlu, T., Akpinar, S., & Kahraman, A. (2018). An examination of empathy levels in athletics athletes. Journal of International Social Research, 11(60). https://doi.org/10.17719/jisr.2018.2912
  3. Aldemir, G. Y., Biçer, T., & Kale, E. K. (2011). The effect of imagery training on self-perception in elite football players. CBÜ Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 6(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5505/cbjes.2011.16831
  4. Almak, M. (2019). Determining the empathy tendencies of national volleyball referees [Master’s thesis, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Sport Sciences].
  5. Aygün, G., & Karayol, M. (2024). Investigation of the relationship between exercise addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress levels in individuals exercising in fitness centers. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences (IJSETS), 10(1), 62–72. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1314690
  6. Bashir, T. F., Hassan, S., Maqsood, A., Khan, Z. A., Issrani, R., Ahmed, N., & Bashir, E. F. (2020). The psychological impact analysis of novel COVID-19 pandemic in health sciences students: A global survey. European Journal of Dentistry, 14(S 01), S91–S96. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1719211
  7. Beyaz, Ö. (2016). An investigation of empathic tendency and empathic skill levels of pre-service teachers studying in the department of physical education and sports teaching: The case of Anadolu University [Master’s thesis, Anadolu University].
  8. Çelikel, B. H., Aksu, A., & Sezer, S. Y. (2020).Evaluation of empathy levels in adolescent athletes in sports.The Journal of Turk & Islam World Social Studies, 7(25), 148-154.https://doi.org/10.29228/TIDSAD.42885
  9. Cicioğlu, H. İ., Demir, G. T., Bulğay, C., & Çetin, E. (2019). Exercise addiction levels of elite athletes and students of faculty of sports sciences. Journal of Addiction, 20(1), 12–20. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/656534
  10. Clough, P. J., Earle, K., & Sewell, D. (2002). Mental toughness: The concept and its measurement. In I. Cockerill (Ed.), Solutions in sport psychology (pp. 32–45). London: Thomson Publishing.
  11. Darol, E. S., & Karapınar, A. (2022). The relationship between gender, marital status and diseases arising from stress. Sakarya Medical Journal, 12(2), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.31832/smj.1093762
  12. Demir, G. T., & Türkeli, A. (2019). Investigation of exercise addiction and mental toughness levels of students in the faculty of sports sciences.Journal of Sports Science Research, 4(1), 10–24. https://doi.org/10.25307/jssr.505941
  13. Demir, İ. (2019). Investigation and comparison of psychological characteristics of individuals participating in team and individual sports (Master’s thesis, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports).
  14. Demir, İ., İbiş, S., & Miçooğulları, B. O. (2020). Examination and comparison of psychological characteristics of individuals participating in team and individual sports. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 22(2), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.189
  15. Demir, R., & Murat, M. (2017). An investigation of pre-service teachers' happiness, optimism, meaning in life and life satisfaction. International Journal of Society Researches, 7(13). https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.347656
  16. Demirtaş, A. S. (2018). Predictive role of emotion regulation strategies and self-esteem on happiness. Turkish Studies, 13(11). https://doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.13465
  17. Doğan, T. (2011). Two-dimensional self-esteem: Adaptation of the self liking/self-competence scale into Turkish, a validity and reliability study. Education and Science, 36(162), 126–137. https://doi.org/10.15390/ES.2011.982
  18. Dökmen, Ü. (2013). Communication conflicts and empathy in art and daily life. Remzi Publishing.
  19. Dorak, F., & Vurgun, N. (2006). The relationship between empathy and team unity in terms of team sports. Spormetre Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 4(2), 73–77. https://doi.org/10.1501/Sporm_0000000060
  20. Eraslan, M. (2016). Analysis of emotional intelligence and empathic tendency levels in youth according to variables age, gender, and doing sports. Kastamonu Journal of Education, 24(4), 1839–1852. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12053
  21. Erdoğan, B. (2017). Investigation of the relationship between happiness, compassion and aggression in adults (Master’s thesis). Council of Higher Education Thesis Center (Thesis No: 485544).
  22. Erdoğan, N. (2016). Mental Toughness Scale (MTS): Adaptation to Turkish, validity and reliability study. International Journal of Science Culture and Sport, 4(SI 2), 652–664. https://doi.org/10.14486/IntJSCS588
  23. Erkuş, A., & Yakupoğlu, S. (2001). Development of the Empathy in Sports Environment Scale (ESES). Hacettepe University Journal of Sport Sciences, 12(1), 22–31. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/151416
  24. Freeman, D., Rosebrock, L., Loe, B. S., Saidel, S., Freeman, J., & Waite, F. (2023). The Oxford Positive Self Scale: Psychometric development of an assessment of cognitions associated with psychological well-being. Psychological Medicine, 53(15), 7161–7169. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291722003969
  25. Gentile, B., Grabe, S., Dolan-Pascoe, B., Twenge, J. M., Wells, B. E., & Maitino, A. (2009). Gender differences in domain-specific self-esteem: A meta-analysis. Review of General Psychology, 13(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013689
  26. Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2008). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches. New York: Sage.
  27. Kabal, D. (2019). A study on teachers’ lifelong learning tendencies and happiness levels (The case of Kocaeli) (Master’s thesis, Sakarya University).
  28. Karabulut, E. O. (2023). Determination of the empathic tendency levels and fear of being evaluated as immortal among licensed table tennis athletes, and examination of the relationship with different variables. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, 6(1 – Special Issue for the 100th Anniversary of the Republic), 1165–1176. https://doi.org/10.38021asbid.1375367
  29. Karasar, N. (2002). Scientific research method: Concepts, principles, and techniques (in Turkish). Ankara: Nobel Publishing.
  30. Koçak, İ. (2018). An investigation of empathy skills of elite athletes in combat sports in terms of various variables (Master’s thesis, Gazi University, Institute of Educational Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching).
  31. Kocyigit, B., Ceco, G., Deniz, M. E., & Satici, S. A. (2024). Turkish adaptation of Oxford Positive Self Scale: Association with psychological distress, subjective vitality and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 224, 112629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2023.112629
  32. Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U
  33. Madrigal, L., Hamill, S., & Gill, D. L. (2013). Mind over matter: The development of the Mental Toughness Scale (MTS). The Sport Psychologist, 27(1), 62–77. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.27.1.62
  34. Mann, M. M., Hosman, C. M., Schaalma, H. P., & De Vries, N. K. (2004). Self-esteem in a broad-spectrum approach for mental health promotion. Health Education Research, 19(4), 357–372. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyg041
  35. Nicholls, A. R., Polman, R., Levy, A., & Backhouse, S. H. (2009). Mental toughness in sport: Achievement level, gender, age, experience and sport type differences. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(1), 73–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2009.02.006
  36. Orhan, S. (2018). The relationship between emotional intelligence and mental toughness in individual and team athletes(Master’s thesis, Marmara University, Institute of Health Sciences).
  37. Örgev, C., Biçer, İ., Demir, H., Aydın, O. A., Şen, E., & Özyaral, O. (2020). The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students in Turkey: A foundation university case. Journal of International Health Sciences and Management, 6(12), 25–33. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/1314856
  38. Overtraining, U., Gould, D., & Dieffenbach, K. (2002). Overtraining, underrecovery, and burnout in sport. In M. Kellmann (Ed.), Enhancing recovery: Preventing underperformance in athletes (pp. 25–35). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  39. Özen Karataştan, S. (2022). An investigation of perceived stress, self-esteem, and happiness levels among adolescents involved and not involved in performing arts (Master’s thesis, Istanbul Gelisim University, Institute of Graduate Education).
  40. Paksoy, S. M. (2021). An investigation of exercise addiction levels among university students studying in the field of sports sciences (The case of Kahramanmaraş) (Master’s thesis, Sütçü İmam University, Institute of Health Sciences).
  41. Proios, M. (2011). Relationship between student perceived conduct in physical education settings and "unfair" play. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 23(2), 421–440. https://doi.org/10.24985/ijass.2011.23.2.421
  42. Rathore, M. S. (2018). A comparative study of mental toughness of team and individual players of different schools of Gwalior. International Journal of Yogic, 3(2), 357–358. https://www.theyogicjournal.com/pdf/2018/vol3issue2/PartF/3-2-49-997.pdf
  43. Rueckert, L., & Naybar, N. (2008). Gender differences in empathy: The role of the right hemisphere. Brain and Cognition, 67(2), 162–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2008.01.002
  44. Sadıq, B. J. (2018). Investigation of the exercise dependence of athletes' Kick Boxing, Taekwondo and Muay Thai(Master’s thesis, Fırat University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports).
  45. Sağ, S., Yağdı, M. F., & Güçlü, M. (2024). Psychological flexibility in sports: Associations with general self-efficacy and self-esteem. International Bozok Journal of Sports Sciences, 5(1), 214–232. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4268655
  46. Şahinler, Y. (2021). Examination of athletes' psychological skill levels. Iğdır University Journal of Sports Sciences, 4(1), 8–18. https://doi.org/10.48133/igdirsbd.1008467
  47. Sarıçam, H. (2018). The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) in health control and clinical samples. Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research, 7(1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.5455/JCBPR.274847
  48. Sever, M., & Özdemir, S. (2020). The experience of being a student during the coronavirus (COVID-19) period: A photovoice study. Society and Social Work, 31(4), 1653–1679. https://doi.org/10.33417/tsh.778615
  49. Sevindik, D. (2015). The relationship between religiosity and happiness in middle-aged individuals: The case of Denizli(Master’s thesis). Council of Higher Education Thesis Center (Thesis No: 396038).
  50. Sur, M. (2025). An investigation of the relationship between high school students' levels of empathic tendency and sportsmanship behaviors (Master’s thesis).
  51. Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
  52. Tsai, E., & Fung, L. (2005). Sportspersonship in youth basketball and volleyball players. The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 7(2), 37–46.
  53. Vealey, R. S., & Greenleaf, C. A. (2001). Seeing is believing: Understanding and using imagery in sport. In J. M. Williams (Ed.), Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (4th ed., pp. 247–288). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.
  54. Yavuzer, H. (2001). Parent-child (14th ed.). Istanbul: Remzi Publishing House
  55. Yenel, İ. F., Tapşın, F. O., & Özdemir, E. (2023). An investigation of university students’ attitudes toward sports and their empathy levels. The Journal of Academic Social Science, 11(139), 265–276. https://doi.org/10.29228/ASOS.68471
  56. Zeigler-Hill, V., & Myers, E. M. (2012). A review of gender differences in self-esteem. In S. P. McGeown (Ed.), Psychology research progress. Psychology of gender differences (pp. 131143). Hauppauge, NY, US: Nova Science Publishers.