Examining the relationship between physical/kinesthetic intelligence and attitudes towards physical education course of middle school students in Mardin province: The case of Mardin province

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between physical/kinesthetic intelligence and attitudes towards physical education courses among middle school students in the Mardin/Artuklu district. The sample of the study consists of a total of 344 students, including 164 females with an average age of 12.41 ± 1.34 years and 180 males with an average age of 12.48 ± 1.01 years, studying in Mardin/Artuklu during the 2022-2023 academic year. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Physical Education Attitude Scale, and the Physical/Kinesthetic Intelligence Scale. Analyses were performed using the SPSS 24.0 software, employing the Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal-Wallis H analyses, with findings evaluated at a significance level of p<0.05. According to the findings, gender, participation in school sports, the presence of other family members involved in sports, parental education levels, and family income levels were found to affect physical/kinesthetic intelligence and attitudes towards physical education courses. While no significant difference was observed between gender and attitudes towards physical education courses (p>0.05), participation in school sports was found to have a significant effect on physical/kinesthetic intelligence and attitudes towards physical education courses (p<0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in physical/kinesthetic intelligence scores was observed between students with and without family members involved in sports (p<0.05). Maternal education level significantly impacted physical/kinesthetic intelligence scores, whereas no difference was found in attitudes towards physical education courses. Family income levels created a significant difference in physical/kinesthetic intelligence, but no notable effect on attitudes towards physical education courses was determined. In conclusion, it was observed that students' physical/kinesthetic intelligence and attitudes towards physical education courses are influenced by their social environment and family structure.