An investigation of physical education teachers' attitudes towards mentally handicapped children based on demographic variables

Background and Aim: This research aims to examine physical education teachers' attitudes towards mentally disabled children in the context of demographic variables. The results of the research will be used to make important recommendations on educational policies and practices. Material and Methods: "Descriptive Method", a survey model, was used in the research to collect data from a large group of participants, and the data was obtained through the participants' responses to a 5-point Likert-type attitude scale. The study population consists of 121 physical education and sports teachers working in Kırklareli Province. For sample selection, an attempt was made to reach the entire universe without any processing. For teacher group selection, the error rate was accepted as 95% confidence interval (α=0.05). In data collection, a demographic information form and an attitude scale were included, and explanations were made about the validity and reliability of the scale and the stages applied while using it in the research. "Attitude Scale towards Mentally Disabled Children" consists of 21 items and has a 5-factor structure. Factors; 9 items are "benefits", 3 items are "emotions", 3 items are "supports", 4 items are "acceptance" and 2 items are "fears". In our research, the suitability of the scale to our population was checked in order to verify the validity and reliability tests of the scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) method was used for validity testing. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data in the study. In order to apply the scale and collect data, approval was received from Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee on 09.01.2023 with the Protocol number TÜTF-GOBAEK 2023/377. A directive containing information about the research was presented to physical education teachers in Kırklareli Province and the ethics committee report was shared. The scale was applied to teachers' voluntary participation in the study without any time restrictions. Results: Research findings have shown that BE teachers' attitudes are affected by some demographic variables. Although there is a statistically significant difference between teachers' gender and their answers to the emotions (U=673.500, p=0.002) and fears (U=833.500, p=0.046) subscales, the effect size is low (r<0.5). Therefore, it cannot be said that gender is an important factor on the attitudes of BE teachers. In line with our findings, BE teachers' attitudes towards ZE students are affected by factors such as special education background, experience working with ZE students, acquaintances with mental disabilities and self-efficacy. Physical education teachers' attitudes towards teaching mentally disabled students need further research. Conclusion: In line with the findings obtained from the study, it was found that the gender variable is an unstable factor in PE teachers' attitudes towards teaching PE students, Gender is not an effective factor on the attitudes of PE teachers, the experience of working with PE teachers is an important factor on PE attitudes, and having an acquaintance with a mental disability affects teacher attitudes. It has been found that finding oneself competent to work with ZEÇ is a positive factor on attitudes. The findings emphasize the importance of interventions to improve the attitudes of physical education teachers. Keywords: Mental disability, physical education, attitude, ınclusion