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Journals / Yalova Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 5 Sayı: 1

Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Training Engagement and Psychological Needs in Athletes

Sporcuların Zihinsel Antrenman Yapma Durumları ile Psikolojik İhtiyaçlar Durumu Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Emre Boz(BAYBURT UNIVERSITY, INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS (DR))0000-0001-8117-9329
Hüseyn Xankişiyev(BAYBURT UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS, DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)0009-0001-7481-1354
Pages
315–331
Publication Date
2026-03-19
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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

Moreover, the findings revealed that there is a relationship between mental training engagement and psychological needs in sports.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The primary aim of the study is to examine the relationship between athletes’ engagement in mental training and their psychological needs.
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Key Findings & Data:In this context, the sample of the study consisted of student-athletes enrolled at Bayburt University during the 2024–2025 fall academic semester.
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Conclusion & Impact:Moreover, the findings revealed that there is a relationship between mental training engagement and psychological needs in sports.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2024–2025 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Spor · Zihinsel Antrenman · Psikolojik İhtiyaç

Abstract

The primary aim of the study is to examine the relationship between athletes’ engagement in mental training and their psychological needs. The research was conducted using a correlational survey design. In this context, the sample of the study consisted of student-athletes enrolled at Bayburt University during the 2024–2025 fall academic semester. In order to collect participants’ opinions regarding the relevant variables, three different instruments were used: the Personal Information Form, the Mental Training Inventory in Sports, and the Psychological Needs in Sports Scale. All data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26), employing independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis. As a result of the data analysis, statistically significant differences were identified in athletes’ psychological needs in sports based on gender, age, sports experience, type of sports branch, and national athlete status. Regarding athletes’ engagement in mental training, significant differences were found according to gender, age, sports experience, and type of sports branch. Furthermore, positive relationships were identified between the sub-dimensions of mental training in sports and the sub-dimensions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness satisfaction, while negative relationships were found with the dissatisfaction sub-dimensions. It was determined that both athletes’ mental training engagement and psychological needs in sports varied depending on several variables. Moreover, the findings revealed that there is a relationship between mental training engagement and psychological needs in sports.

Özet

Araştırmanın temel amacı; Sporcuların zihinsel antrenman yapma durumları ile psikolojik ihtiyaçlar durumu arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Araştırma ilişkisel tarama modelinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu bağlamda Bayburt Üniversitesi’nde 2024-2025 güz akademik yarıyılında öğrenim gören öğrenci sporcular bu araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcıların ilgili konular hususunda görüşlerinin alınması adına 3 ayrı form kullanılmıştır. Bu formlar; Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Sporda Zihinsel Antrenman Envanteri ve Sporda Psikolojik İhtiyaçlar Durumu Ölçeğidir. Tüm veriler SPSS (26. sürüm) yazılımında bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve pearson korelasyon analizinin kullanımıyla sınanmıştır. Verilerin analizi neticesinde katılımcıların sporda psikolojik ihtiyaç durumlarına bağlı cinsiyet, yaş, spor yaşı, spor branşı türü ve milli sporcu olma durumlarına bağlı istatistiki açıdan anlamlı bulgular tespit edilmiştir. Sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma durumlarına ilişkin ise cinsiyet, yaş, spor yaşı ve spor branşı türü değişkenlerine bağlı anlamlı bulgulara rastlanmıştır. Son olarak sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma alt boyutları ile özerklik, yeterlilik ve aidiyet memnuniyeti alt boyutları ile pozitif, memnuniyetsizlik alt boyutları ile negatif yönlü ilişkiler tespit edilmiştir. Sporcuların çeşitli değişkenlere bağlı hem sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma hem de sporda psikolojik ihtiyaçlar durumlarının farklılık gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir. Dahası, sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma ve sporda psikolojik ihtiyaç durumları arasında ilişki olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Boz, E., Xankişiyev, H. (2026). Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Training Engagement and Psychological Needs in Athletes. Yalova Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 1, 315–331. https://doi.org/10.70007/yalovaspor.1859631

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