Özet:

The aim of this study is to examine how Turkish athletes experience in maintaining their dual careers, including education career and sports career. The research was designed in qualitative research approach, interpretive paradigm, and phenomenological design. The study group was selected according to the criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods. In the research, 10 participants, 5 female and 5 male, from student athletes who continue their university education and are in the national or top league in their own branch, took Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the obtained data. Validity in research credibility, transferability, reliability, and verifiability criteria are taken as basis in order to ensure reliability, the strategies of recording the interviews, translating them into writing, and individual coding by different researchers were used. As a result of the analyzes made, three main themes were formed in accordance with the theoretical framework. The theme created according to the SCCT dimension was “Self-efficacy: Success is in my soul”, “Outcome expectations: Support and obstacles”, “Personal goals: Academic athletes”. Athletes stated that they manage their double careers more easily when they are legally supported and flexible arrangements are made. Parental support plays an important role in athletes' decision making about their dual career and in providing social support when faced with difficulties in dual careers. While the athletes prioritize their sports careers over their educational careers in their dual careers, they have stated that academic progress is the primary goal in their careers after active sportsmanship. In the study, it was noted that the practices and dual career structures in our country should be improved in dual career support

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