EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF SPORTS HABITS ON THE SOCIAL ADAPTATION AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF SYRIAN CHILDREN UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION LIVING IN TÜRKİYE

Abstract This research aims to examine the effect of sports habits on the social adaptation and good citizenship status of Syrian children under temporary protection living in Türkiye. In this context, the population of the research consists of Syrian children in the 7th and 8th grades living in Türkiye. The sample of the research consists of 332 Syrian children living in Kayseri, selected through random sampling at the 7th and 8th grade levels. The data collection tools used in the study are the demographic information form, social adaptation scale, and good citizenship perception scale. Statistical package program SPSS 23 was used to analyze the data. Nonparametric tests were employed in the study due to the data not exhibiting a normal distribution. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparisons, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for multiple comparisons to examine the differences between variables. As a result of the analyses, significant differences were found in the children's social adaptation levels according to the variables of regular sports activities, age, mother's education level, father's education level, monthly income, and family members who do sports; however, no significant differences were observed in the variables of gender, education, receiving help from Turkish individuals, desire to go to Europe or the USA, parental status, length of stay in Türkiye, and number of siblings. In the good citizenship perception scale, significant differences were found according to the variables of gender, parents' status, father's education level, length of stay in Türkiye, and monthly income. However, no significant differences were observed in the variables of regular sports activities, education, receiving help from Turkish individuals, desire to go to Europe or the USA, age, mother's education level, number of siblings, and family members who do sports. Keywords: Good citizenship perception; social adaptation; sports habits; syrian children.