Life Skills Development Through Sports Among Student-Athletes: A Survey of Secondary Schools

Abstract

Life skills are applicable psycho-social skills and abilities to develop desirable qualities such as self-confidence and socialization. In this context, the research aims to investigate how participation in sportive activities during secondary education affects an individual's life skills. The sample group in the study consisted of 212 students, 99 female and 113 male students, studying at Private İstek 1915 Çanakkale Schools in Çanakkale province. Life Skills Scale for Sport (LSSS) scale was used to evaluate life skills acquired through sport. Statistical package program (SPSS 21 Version) was used to analyze the data obtained in the study. The findings of the research showed that there were differences in the life skills of the sample group according to the variables discussed. According to gender, the sub-dimension of goal setting is in favor of male students. It is seen that as the years of doing sports increase and those who play in the school team have higher life skills gains. In addition, students who play team sports have higher scores than those who play individual sports in all sub-dimensions of the scale except communication, which are time management, leadership, teamwork and goal setting. As a result, it is thought that secondary school students who play sports regularly, play in a club or school team and are directed to sports starting from an early age have more positive life skills in their future lives.