The Determining Role of Socio-Cultural Factors in the Branch Choice of Male Volleyball Players

This study aimed to examine the influence of family, environment, and society on the orientation of athletes toward the sport of volleyball in the Turkish Men’s First League during the 2023–2024 season. The research population consisted of 24 teams and 384 athletes, while the study sample included 263 volleyball players. Data were collected using a four-item personal information form and the Scale of Reasons and Expectations for Starting Sports. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Since the data showed normal distribution, parametric tests were applied. An independent samples t-test was used for binary variables and ANOVA for variables with more than two groups, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that participants who started sports between the ages of 5 and 8 scored significantly higher than those who began between the ages of 13 and 16 (p < 0.05). It was also observed that participants with fathers involved in sports were more likely to engage in sports themselves. Differences in participation and expectations were found between individuals living in rural and urban areas (p < 0.05). Educational level had a significant effect on encouragement and engagement in sports but not on expectations (p > 0.05). Overall, the study highlights that factors such as age of sport initiation, presence of active family members, place of residence, and education level play a significant role in shaping individuals’ participation, orientation, and expectations regarding sports. Promoting early sport involvement, strengthening family support, improving access to sports in rural areas, and encouraging participation according to educational level are essential strategies for the wider promotion of sports.