Graduate Approaches to Psychological Resilience in Sports: A Systematic Mapping of Theses between 2020-2025

This study aims to systematically examine postgraduate theses prepared in Turkey between 2020 and 2025 on the theme of psychological resilience in sports, revealing current trends and the scope of academic output in the field. Conducted within the framework of a systematic review, the research identified 31 postgraduate theses through a comprehensive search of the National Thesis Center of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK Tez) database, which were then subjected to content analysis. The selected theses were categorized in detail based on study type, publication year, sample group, sample size, research method, data collection tools, and main findings. The findings indicate a growing interest in the concept of psychological resilience during the specified period, with the majority of theses conducted at the master’s level, predominantly within the field of sports sciences. Most studies employed quantitative methods, especially descriptive survey models. University athlete students constituted the main sample group, although elite athletes, female athletes, and Paralympic individuals were also included. The most frequently used data collection instruments were the CD-RISC, Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Adapted Resilience Scale for Athletes. Psychological resilience was often examined in relation to variables such as academic achievement, coping with stress, self-awareness, leadership, self-confidence, and social support. The study concludes that while the concept of psychological resilience in sports is gaining importance, there remains a need for more qualitative research and studies with greater theoretical depth. The findings offer evidence-based insights for researchers and practitioners and highlight current gaps in the literature.