Sports Participation Motivation, Attitudes, and Digital Gaming Behaviors Among Adolescent Students

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among attitude towards sport, sport participation motivation, and digital game addiction in adolescents. Accordingly, a relational survey model was employed, and 324 adolescents aged 14-18 were selected using a cluster sampling method. The data collection instruments included the Motivation for Sport Participation Scale, the Attitude Towards Sport Scale, and the Digital Game Addiction Scale. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 27, applying descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that adolescents' attitudes towards sport and participation motivation differed significantly by gender, with males scoring higher on both sport participation and digital game addiction levels. Regression analyses indicated that positive attitudes toward sport and high motivation levels significantly predicted tendencies toward digital game addiction. The results underscore the importance of school-based programs designed to encourage sport participation and mitigate digital game addiction. Furthermore, the findings suggest that strategies developed with an awareness of gender-based differences can contribute to guiding adolescents toward a more balanced and healthy utilization of their free time.