Examining the relationship between middle school teachers' participation in sports activities during their leisure time and self-confidence

This study examines the relationship between middle school teachers' participation in sports activities during their leisure time and their self-confidence. The research focuses on factors such as teachers' years of experience, field of expertise, and frequency of participation in leisure activities. The population of the study consists of 938 middle school teachers affiliated with the Viranşehir District Directorate of National Education. The sample consists of 408 participants selected randomly based on voluntary participation. Data were collected using a personal information form, Leisure Satisfaction Scale, and Continuous Sports Self-Confidence Scale. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 23 software. It was observed that the data exhibited a normal distribution within the range of +1 and -1 standard deviations, indicating normality. Independent Samples T-Test was used to determine differences in binary variables, while One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed for multiple variables. Post Hoc tests, specifically Tukey HSD, were utilized to determine the source of differences between groups. Correlation coefficients were calculated for relational analysis, with a significance level set at 0.05. The study found a high level of internal consistency for the Continuous Sports Self-Confidence Scale (0.963), indicating reliable measurement. Regarding the comparison of scales based on gender, no statistically significant differences were found in the psychological, social, physiological, and aesthetic dimensions (p = 0.21, p = 0.23, p = 0.04, p = 0.20, respectively). However, significant differences were observed in the educational and relaxation dimensions (p = 0.00, p = 0.04). In conclusion, the study suggests that regular participation in leisure activities by teachers may increase their overall life satisfaction and continuous sports self-confidence. It underscores the importance of teachers' involvement in sports activities as an effective strategy to enhance their well-being.