Sports and Psychological Resilience: The Key Role of Sports for Children

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of sports on enhancing psychological resilience in child athletes using the meta-analysis method. Meta-analysis is a method that systematically integrates existing research findings to statistically analyze general trends and effects. The study demonstrates that sports strengthen children's ability to cope with stress, enhance their self-confidence, and improve their emotional regulation capacity. It has been determined that sports activities contribute to the development of problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience skills. Moreover, team sports have been observed to exert a stronger influence on resilience compared to individual sports by reinforcing social support mechanisms. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of adopting appropriate pedagogical approaches within sports environments. The necessity of designing sports programs that take into account age groups, individual needs, and social contexts to support children's resilience development is emphasized. In addition to providing individual benefits, sports are also presented as a tool that fosters societal well-being. Future research is recommended to focus on designing sustainable sports programs tailored to children's age and developmental needs. Additionally, active participation in sports activities should be encouraged. Research on the role of sports in child development strongly suggests that these activities not only contribute to children's physical health but also play a crucial role in supporting their psychological well-being.