Study of the Concepts of Athletic Identity and Continuous Sport Self-Confidence in the Light of Various Variables

This study was planned and conducted for the purpose of examining the relationship between the concepts of athletic identity and continuous sport self-confidence within the framework of various variables. The study group is comprised of 125 sportsmen of different branches, located at the Ankara Eryaman Olympics Preparation Centre. Along with a personal information form, the participants were subjected to the "Athletic Identity Scale" developed by Brewer and Cornelius (2001) in order to measure the athletic identity roles, as well as the "Continuous Sport Self-Confidence Scale," which is a sub-dimension of the measurement tool developed by Vealey (1986) in order to assess sport confidence. In this study, while no significant difference was found between the total points for continuous sport self-confidence according to gender, a significant difference was found between the athletic identity points. No statistically significant difference was found between the total points for continuous sport self-confidence and athletic identity according to their branches, number of national representation and their years of sport. In the meanwhile, it was found that 64% of the sportsmen in the research group were satisfied with their relations with their parents, while 52% were satisfied with their relations with their friends. It was found that 40% of the sportsmen were satisfied with how they used their spare time, and 48% were satisfied with their success in their studies.


Introduction
It is a known fact that physical capacity alone is not enough in increasing sports performance and success, but psychological endurance and elements also have their share. For this reason, the importance of sports psychology increases by day. In all sports activities focusing on competition, there are psychological conditions and factors having a positive or negative impact on the performance and success of sportsmen.
In sports, self-confidence is considered a psychological factor that affects and determines performance (Vealey et al., 1998). The athletic identity, on the other hand, expresses a psychologically strong structure and, providing psychological benefits for sportsmen in general terms, affects sports life (Brewer et al., 1993).
Self-confidence is considered an important and necessary mental skill in sportsmen, as well as being an important factor having an impact on sports performance within the framework of thought and behaviour (Fletcher and Kanton, 2001;Jones and Hanton, 2001). Sport self-confidence is the sportsman's belief in themselves with regard to what they want to do and the targets they wish to achieve. Vealey (1986) distinguishes sport self-confidence as "Continuous Sport Self-confidence" and "Circumstantial Sport Self-confidence Continuous sportive self-confidence is expressed as individuals' general belief in their skills and abilities in order to succeed in sports. Circumstantial sportive self-confidence, however, is individuals' occasional belief in their skills and abilities in order to succeed in sports. Sport self-confidence is both a structure that depends on the circumstances according to many variables such as time, sportive discipline and the content of this discipline, the properties of the competition and the competitors, and a fixed property that is not affected by such circumstantial factors (Vealey, 1986).
Like all other personality traits, sport self-confidence has a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional structure. Accordingly, dimensions such as the sportsman's physical skills and practice, their ability to use psychological and perceptive skills, and their satisfaction with physical suitability are effective on sport self-confidence (Weinberger, 2003). Therefore, the concept of sport self-confidence, which has a multi-faceted structure, affects success and performance in turn. Research conducted suggests that one of the most important factors that affect performance in sports is sport self-confidence, which is among the most researched subjects in sport psychology, and is an important psychological process (Lirgg, 1991;Feltz et al., 2008).
The athletic identity represents the individual's perception and behaviour regarding sports events. It is the demonstration of the sports role presented along with the individual identity. This role is built up from the interaction between the sportsman's relations with others in social life, and their sports life (Brewer et al., 1993). The athletic identity may also be expressed as a social role. This role may be affected by trainers, teammates, family and the media. It also lends the individual a social status. Within mental processes, the athletic identity has an impact on the sportsman's strategies in coping, their decision-making and their behaviour (Pearlin, 1983;Horton and Mack, 2000).
In sports competitions, the mental endurance, stress conditions, sport self-confidence and strong athletic identity of sportsmen have an impact on their success and sports performance. This study, which is planned within this context, was conducted to examine the athletic identity and continuous sport self-confidence concepts in accordance with various variables.

Materials and Method
The study group is comprised of 125 sportsmen of different branches, located at the Ankara Turkey Olympics Preparation Centre. Along with a personal information form, the participants were subjected to the "Athletic Identity Scale" developed by Brewer and Cornelius (2001) in order to measure the athletic identity roles, as well as the "Continuous Sport Self-Confidence Scale" developed by Vealey (1986) in order to assess sport confidence. There are 10 question items in the Athletic Identity Scale, and 13 question items in the Continuous Sport Self-confidence Scale.
The screening method was used in this study, and the data obtained were analysed using the SPSS 23 package programme. The analysis of socio-demographic data was conducted through the percentage frequency analysis. The comparison of the binary variables was conducted through the independent test, while that of the multiple variables was conducted through a one-way analysis of variance Anova. Of the sportsmen constituting the research group in Table 1, 54.4% are men while 45.6% are women. Of these sportsmen, 4.8% are in boxing, 6.4% in taekwondo, 13.6% in judo, 12% in athletics, 4,8% in marksmanship, 20% in weight lifting, 4% in gymnastics, and 34.4% in swimming. 23,2% of the sportsmen have indicated to have been actively in sports for 0-3 years, 40,8% for 4-7 years, 18,4% for 8-11, 4% for 12-15 years, and 13,6% for 16-19 years. Of the individuals participating in the study, 74,4% have participated in national team competitions 1-5 times, 17,6% 6-10 times, 3,2% 11-15 times, 3,2% 16-20 times and 1,6% 21-25 times. According to the table, examining the sportsmen's relations with their parents, 1,6% have replied as being not satisfied at all, 2,4% as not very satisfied, 32% as satisfied, and 64% as very satisfied. According to the analysis, examining the sportsmen's relations with their friends, 0,8% have replied as being not satisfied at all, 4,8% as not very satisfied, 52% as satisfied, and 42,4% as very satisfied. According to Table 4, 2,4% of the individuals participating in the study indicate not being at all satisfied, 21,6% as not being very satisfied, 40% as being satisfied, and 36% as being very satisfied.   In Tables 6 and 7, the Cronbach's Alpha analyses of the scales used in this study were carried out, and that of the Continuous Sport Self-confidence Scale was found as 0,881, while that of the Athletic Identity Scale was found to be 0,870.  Table 8 indicates the averages of the continuous sport self-confidence and athletic identity total points. According to the table, continuous sport self-confidence was found as 3,52±0,64 and athletic identity as 4,05±0,71. According to Table 9, while no significant difference was found between the total points for continuous sport self-confidence according to gender, a significant difference of p<0,05 was found between the athletic identity points.  According to the anova analysis, no significant difference at the level of 0,05 was found between the total points of continuous sport self-confidence and athletic identity in relation to the number of national representation. According to the anova analysis, no significant difference at the level of 0,05 was found between the total points of continuous sport self-confidence and athletic identity in relation to active sport years.

Discussion
Sport is a concept that develops individuals' understanding and sense of responsibility, encouraging them to act in cooperation. Along with this, it gives the individual the power to fit in with social groups and the community, harmonizing and strengthening individual-family, individual-community relations. At the same time, by contributing to personal development, sport also encourages the emergence of the individual's hidden talents. Sport is a concept that gives rise to the feeling of being appreciated by lending individuals an identity, role and status (Erkal et al., 1998;Dever, 2008). According to the findings of the study, 64% of the sportsmen in the research group were satisfied with their relations with their parents, while 52% were satisfied with their relations with their friends. It was found that 40% of the sportsmen were satisfied with how they used their spare time, and 48% were satisfied with their success in their studies. Humphrey's (1993) study showed that children participating in sports activities and doing sports are successful in their social relationships and studies. Therefore, social life and academic success increases the level of satisfaction.
No difference was found between gender and continuous sport self-confidence in the study. The study conducted by Öztürk et al. at the Trabzon Olympic Preparation Centre has also found no significant difference between sport self-confidence and gender. Other studies also indicate that the gender factor has no impact on self-confidence (Perry and Williams, 1998;Cox and Whaley, 2004). Within the context of sport self-confidence, Vealey (1988) identified that there was no significant difference based on gender among elite sportsmen displaying high and superior performance. It is seen that research that has been conducted support this research. However, there are also studies indicating that male sportsmen have a higher self-confidence compared to sportswomen (Crocker, 1989;Martens,1990;Jones et al., 1991;Krane and Williams,1994;Petruzzeuo and Corbin, 1988).
The findings of the research have indicated to a significant difference between athletic identity and gender, and that gender plays an important role in determining the athletic identity. The athletic identity plays a social role within the framework of other individuals' perceptions, and the role of sport is demonstrated along with the individual identity. In this sense, the athletic identity that is related to the individual identity may be affected by individuals' gender roles. Examining the literature on the subject, research supporting the finding of this research were found (Brewer et al., 1993;VanRaalte and Cook, 1991;Weichman and Williams, 1997).
The research revealed no statistically significant difference between the sportsmen's active year in sports and the total scores for athletic identity. Examining similar studies on the subject, it is seen in Çetinkaya's (2015) study that there is no significant correlation between the duration of being a licenced sportsman and athletic identity. Oregon's (2010) study found that the length of an individual's time as a sportsman was not a factor that had an impact on the athletic identity. These results support the findings of this research. However, there are also studies indicating that athletic identity would become stronger with an increase in experience as a sportsman (Adler and Adler, 1991). Considering that athletic identity is affected by individual identity, social roles and environmental conditions, it is also possible that different results may emerge.
No significant difference was found between the branches of the sportsmen in the research group and athletic identity.
While not many studies are seen on sports branches and athletic identity in the related literature, Çetinkaya's (2010, 2015) research indicates at different findings, showing that sports branches have an impact on athletic identity, and that the athletic identity of those occupied in team sports is dominant.
The research has found no significant difference between sportsmen's number of appearing at national team competitions, and athletic identity and continuous sport self-confidence. Therefore, it may be said that the level of athletic identity and sport self-confidence of the sportsmen participating in the study was not affected by their number of participation in national team competitions. Although representing their country on international platforms are a source of pride and self-confidence for sportsmen, it may be thought that the result that emerges in the study does not cause differences due to the profile of the study group as well as other factors.
No significant difference was found between the continuous self-confidence total scores according to sportsmen's branches and active sport years. In the literature, it is possible to see studies indicating that sports branches have no effect on determining sport self-confidence, thereby supporting the findings of this study (Fahiminezhad et al., 2004;Çetinkaya, 2015). It may be thought that this finding achieved under the study may stem from the social approach and perception towards sports branches, and the variety of sports branches. It was understood that the number of active sport years had no significant impact on sport self-confidence. Examining the literature on the subject, different findings are found in similar studies, and studies indicating that the number of active sports years and sports experience affect sport self-confidence (Brewer et al., 1993;Çetinkaya, 2015).

Conclusion and Suggestions
In conclusion, while no significant difference was found between the total points for continuous sport self-confidence according to gender, a significant difference was found between the athletic identity points. No statistically significant difference was found between the total points for continuous sport self-confidence and athletic identity according to their branches, number of national representation and their years of sport. In the meanwhile, it was found that 64% of the sportsmen in the research group were satisfied with their relations with their parents, while 52% were satisfied with their relations with their friends. It was found that 40% of the sportsmen were satisfied with how they used their spare time, and 48% were satisfied with their success in their studies.
An important concept considered to influence success in sports is the sportsman's performance. Among the psychological factors determining and impacting performance in sports, the concepts of athletic identity and sport self-confidence occupy an important place. In order that children and youths may experience a healthy sports life, their athletic identity must be strengthened, and they must be made to feel full sport self-confidence. The study may be applied to different variables in Olympic preparation centres in different provinces, thereby yielding different results, and such results may be shared with the concerned institutions in order to increase sportsman performance. In order that children and youths obtain an effective, productive and strong athletic identity and sport self-confidence, they must be supported by their families, PE teachers and trainers during elementary education, and the suitable environmental conditions must be provided. Taking into consideration that building up sport self-confidence and an athletic identity at an early age will have an impact on success and sports performance, this subject must be prioritised by corporations and institutions related to sports, and the necessary arrangements must be made.