Abstract:

This study aimed to analyze emotional intelligence and mental resistance levels of the national cross country skiing running athletes according to education level and different variables in Turkey in terms of different variables. In the research, general survey model which is one of the survey models was used. Population of the research, i.e. sample of cross country skiing running athletes in Turkey consists of 56 athletes, of which 21 are female, 35 are male, and their average age is 18 years. In determining demographic variables of athletes, personal information form created by the researchers, “Sports Mental Resistance Questionnaire (SMTQ)” to measure mental resistance levels, “Emotional Intelligence Scale for use in Sport (EISS)” to measure emotional intelligence levels, were used. All of the data obtained were analyzed in SPSS 21 package program and significance level of data was taken as p < 0.05. According to the findings obtained from the research, significant relation was determined in favor of female athletes in continuity sub-dimension which is one of mental resistance sub-dimensions according to gender variable, in favor of athletes aged 19 and older in utilizations of emotions sub-dimension which is one of emotional intelligence sub-dimensions according to age variable, in favor of university students in evaluating feelings of others, evaluating feelings of themselves, regulating emotions and utilizations of emotions sub-dimensions which are emotional intelligence sub-dimensions according to the educational status variable. It was found that there was a significant relation in favor of athletes doing sports for 6 to 8 years when compared to athletes doing sports for 5 years and less according to year of doing sports variable in continuity which is mental resistance sub-dimension and evaluating feelings of themselves which is emotional intelligence sub-dimension. In comparison of emotional intelligence sub-dimension levels of athletes according to recreational activity variable, significant difference is seen relating to the fact that emotional intelligence levels of those listening to music and reading book are lower than those watching movie in evaluating feelings of themselves sub-dimension, emotional intelligence levels of those listening to music are lower than those watching movie in regulating emotions sub-dimension, emotional intelligence levels of those listening to music are lower than those participating in sportive activities and watching movie in social skills sub-dimension. When other sub-dimensions were examined, it was determined that there was no significant difference. Consequently, it was seen that there was a significant difference between national cross country skiing athletes in Turkey according to gender and year of doing sports variables in terms of mental resistance levels; according to age, educational status, year of doing sports and recreational activity variables in terms of emotional intelligence levels.

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