Investigation of Volleyball Players Metaphorical Perceptions Regarding the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Centered Earthquakes in Turkey: The Sultan s League Example

This research aims to examine the metaphorical perceptions of Turkish players in the Turkish Sultans League regarding the 2023 Kahramanmaraş-centerede arthquakes. The study group of the research consists of 40 players. The method of the research is the phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research method patterns. Participants said, “An earthquake is like…….. ."Because ....." research data were collected according to their answers. The collected data were analyzed by inductive content analysis. As a result of the research, it was found that the participants produced 16 different metaphors regarding the concept of "earthquake". Metaphors are grouped under 4 categories according to their common features and reasons for use. Categories; They are named “Religion”, “Sociology”, “Psychology” and “Philosophy”. It was concluded that the participants mostly produced the metaphors of apocalypse (f=7), nightmare (f=6), unexpected accident (f=4), helplessness (f=4) and death (f=14). It is thought that the data obtained will help in planning disaster education studies by the level of players and thus in organizing disaster education studies to be given to players effectively. Inaddition, learning the volleyball players' perspectives on the earthquake phenomenon is important for the authorities in terms of knowing their reasons for making sense of the world. It is also expected that the research will be an example and a pioneer for similar studies.