Examination of the relationship between defense mechanisms andlevels of conscious awareness of physical education and sportsschool students

The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not there is a connection between conscious awareness level and defense mechanisms among school of physical education and sports students. Sample group of this study is 237 students of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. The Defense Style Questionaire (SBT-40) developed by Andrews et al. (1993) and adopted to Turkish by Yılmaz et al.(2007), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale developed by Brown and Ryan (2003) adopted to Turkish by Özyeşil et. al (2011) was used to collect data. Data collected from the surveys analisied using SPSS Statiscitcs V22.0. Since the data showed normal distribution curve, Indipendent T Test and one-way analysis of variance (anova) was used. In order to determine the relationship of among variables the Pearson Correlation Test was used. Analysis present a positevely weak meaningful realiton among the total scores of immature defences, neurotic defences and mature defences the sub-dimensions of defense mechanisms. (r:0,402; p:0.000; r:0,386; p:0.000; r:0,760; p:0.000). The research has not showed a negative significant weak relation between immature defences and mindfullnes scale. (r:-0,226; p:0.000) On the other hand there is a positive meaningful relation between mindfullness scale and mature defences. (r:-0,226; p:0.000).When the variables evaluated gender and department variables has not presented a differentiation. (p> 0,05). When the income variable is examined, there is a difference in favor of the student group with low income level, only at the level of mature defenses, one of the sub-dimensions of the defense mechanisms scale. (F:4,342; p:0.014). Looking at those who meditate and practice yoga and those who don't, only a very low level of differentiation has seen in the mature defense. (p:0,049). When the scales is examined according to the trauma variable in the sub-dimensions of the defense mechanisms scale, a significant difference has been found between the levels of using immature defense style between those who has experienced trauma (t=2,238: p=0,026) and those who has not experience trauma.Finally, it is found that there is no differentiation between the participants who has or has not received psychological counseling service and those who has or has not do sports (p> 0.05). It is concluded after the research that correlation analysis findings show a low relation between of immature and mature defenses the sub-dimensions of the defense mechanisms scale and the mindfulness scale.When the total score of the mindfulness scale and the defense mechanisms scale is examined, it is seen that there is no relationship between them. In order to obtain more reliable and valid results in the research, the research might be extented to more students and universities.There is no study in the literature exemining defense mechanisms and 13 athlete mindfullnes awareness. If this study is to be elaborated it might be possible to increase the awareness of the athletes and to affect their performance positively. Key words: conscious awareness, defence mechanisms, school of physical education and sports, immature defences, neurotic defences, mature defences