Investigation of the Relationship Between Social-Emotional Learning Skills and Xenophobic Attitudes Among Athletes

This study examined the relationship between athletes’ social-emotional learning skills and xenophobic attitudes. Using a correlational design, the study included 188 licensed athletes aged 18 years and older residing in Istanbul, recruited through convenience sampling. The participants comprised 124 men and 64 women. Data were collected in November 2024 through face-to-face and online administration of a Personal Information Form, the Xenophobia Scale, and the Social Emotional Learning Scale–Young Adult Form. Analyses included descriptive statistics, independent-samples t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlations. Social-emotional learning scores did not differ significantly by gender or age group. Total social-emotional learning scores were higher among individual-sport athletes than team-sport athletes and among amateur athletes than professional and elite athletes. Total social-emotional learning scores showed a weak, statistically significant negative correlation with group-centrism. Responsible decision-making and relationship skills were also negatively associated with group-centrism. Tolerance toward other groups was not significantly associated with total social-emotional learning scores or any of its subscale scores. The findings suggest that certain components of social-emotional learning are associated with lower group-centrism. The weak associations and cross-sectional design limit causal interpretations.