Investigating problem solving and coping with stress skills of elite athletes

The purpose of this studyis to investigate problem solving and coping with stress skill of elite athletes. Population of this study consist of elite athletes who live in Kütahya, Kırıkkale, Gaziantep, Aksaray and Ankara provinces and sample of this study consisted of 228 participants (113 Female, 115 Male). ''Problem Solving Skills Inventory'' which was developed by Heppner and Peterson (1982) and reliability and validity studies completed and adopted to Turkish by Şahin, Şahin and Heppner (1993) took place in this research. As an another data collection tool '' Coping with Stress Styles Scale'' which was developed by Folkman and Lazarus (1980) and adopted to Turkish by Şahin and Durak (1995) was used. In addition, in order to determine demographical characteristics of participants; personal information form which was developed by researcher. Questionnaires applied to participants to find an answer to the research questions were entered to computer by SPSS 15.0 package. As a result of study, it was obtained that scores related to problem solving skills of athletes did not show any significant difference (p>0,05) according to age groups. It was determined that Hasty approach problem solving skill scores showed a significant difference (F=2,679;p<0,05) according to branch. Avoider approach problem solving skills scores showed a significantt difference (F=3,052;p<0,05) according to branch. Regardful – evaluator, self-confident and planned approach problem solving skills did not show a significant difference (p>0,05). according to branch. Scores according to ''licensed athlete in family'' status related to problem solving skills did not show a significant difference (p>0,05). Scores according to '' degree of athlete in family '' did not show any significant difference (p>0,05). Scores related to coping with stress styles did not show a significant difference (p>0,05) according to gender. Scores related to coping with stress styles did not show a significant difference (p>0,05) according to age groups. Scores related to coping with stress styles did not show a significant difference (p>0,05). according to branch. Scores related to coping with stress styles did not show a significant difference (p>0,05) according to gender. Scores related to coping with stress styles did not show any significant difference (p>0,05) according to duration dealing with Track and Field and finally it was determined that scores related to coping with stres did not show any significant difference (p>0,05) according to the best scores in Track and Field. Keywords: Problem solving, Coping with stres, Elite Athlete.