Investigation of the effect of coach-athlete relationship on the formation of athlete identity of handball athletes

In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between the concepts of athlete identity and coach-athlete relationship in the light of various variables. A total of 400 professional handball players voluntarily participated in the research, 204 women and 196 men, playing in various Turkish handball professional leagues. In the method part of the research, personal information form and athlete identity and coach-athlete relationship scales were applied to determine the demographic information of the athletes. SPSS 26 statistical program was used in the analysis of the data. According to the findings of the study, there was a significant relationship between the Athlete Identity Scale and its subdimensions and the Athlete-Trainer Relationship Scale and its sub-dimensions (p<0.05). When the gender variable was examined, it was determined that male athletes achieved higher scores than female athletes in the general average of social identity, sport limitation sub-dimensions and athlete identity scale (p<0.05). When the age variable was examined, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the general average of the subdimensions of sport limitation, negative affectivity, athlete identity, harmonious working, mutual understanding and communication in line with a common goal, the sub-dimensions of closeness and trust, and the coach-athlete relationship scale (p<0.05). When the education variable was examined, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the general average of the sub-dimensions of being limited to sports, negative affectivity, athlete identity, working in harmony with each other, mutual understanding and communicating in line with a common goal, the sub-dimensions of closeness and trust, and the coach-athlete relationship scale (p<0.05). When the marital variable was examined, it was observed that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the negative affective athlete identity sub-dimension and in the closeness and trust feeling coach-athlete relationship sub-dimension (p<0.05). When the duration of interest in sports was examined, it was observed that there was a significant difference in the subdimensions of social identity, limitedness to sports, and the general average of athlete identity and intimacy and sense of trust sub-dimensions of the coach-athlete identity scale (p<0.05). When the purpose of doing sports was examined, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the general average of athlete identity and all sub-dimensions, and the general average of coach-athlete relationship and all subdimensions (p<0.05). According to the results of the research, the identity of the athlete expresses a social role or professional self-perception. Coaches, family and friends play an active role in the individual's characterization of himself as an athlete