The Relationship between Physical Education and Sports Teacher Candidates Attitudes toward the Teaching Profession and Levels of Satisfaction with Life

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the attitudes of physical education and sports teacher candidates toward the teaching profession and their levels of satisfaction with life. The study population consisted of 203 students studying at Bartın University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports in the 2022-2023 academic year. The sample of the study comprised 165 volunteer students (98 male and 67 female) selected through a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a personal information form for the candidates, the "Attitude Toward the Teaching Profession Scale (ATTPS)" and "Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)". The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage distribution, and arithmetic mean, as well as independent sample t-test and the pearson correlation analyses. The SPSS 26.0 software package was employed for data analysis. The study results revealed a significant difference in the mean total scores of ATTPS and SWLS based on the t-test results of the active engagement in sports variable (p<0.05). Regarding the family income variable, the correlation analysis indicated a moderate and positive significant relationship with mean SWLS total scores, while no significant relationship was found with mean ATTPS total scores (p<0.05). Similarly, for the leisure time variable, a moderate and positive significant relationship was identified with mean SWLS total scores, but no significant relationship was observed with mean ATTPS total scores (p<0.05). Moreover, a low and positive significant relationship was noted between ATTPS and SWLS (p<0.05). In conclusion, the study suggests that as physical education and sports teacher candidates' attitudes toward the teaching profession increase, their levels of satisfaction with life are likely to rise. Simultaneously, an increase in satisfaction with life may contribute to a higher level of positive attitude toward the teaching profession.