The mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between attitudes toward sport and life satisfaction

Abstract

This study examined the association between attitudes toward sport and life satisfaction among university students and tested whether psychological resilience statistically mediated this association. This cross-sectional, relational survey was conducted with 481 undergraduate students enrolled at two universities in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Attitudes Toward Sport Scale, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Psychological Resilience Scale–Short Form. The hypothesized indirect association was tested using Hayes' regression-based PROCESS Macro (Model 4). The statistical significance of the indirect effect was evaluated using 5,000 bootstrap resamples and 95% confidence intervals. Attitudes toward sport positively and significantly predicted psychological resilience (path a: B = 0.265, SE = 0.026, β = 0.418, p < 0.001). Psychological resilience, in turn, positively and significantly predicted life satisfaction when attitudes toward sport was included as a predictor in the model (path b: B = 0.250, SE = 0.026, β = 0.411, p < 0.001). The direct association between attitudes toward sport and life satisfaction also remained statistically significant after psychological resilience was included in the model (path c′: B = 0.058, SE = 0.016, β = 0.151, p < 0.001). Bootstrap analysis indicated a statistically significant indirect association through psychological resilience (indirect effect = 0.066, BootSE = 0.010, 95% BootCI [0.046, 0.087]; fully standardized indirect effect = 0.172). These findings were consistent with a partial statistical mediation pattern. The findings suggest that more favorable attitudes toward sport are associated with higher life satisfaction both directly and indirectly through psychological resilience. However, because the study employed a cross-sectional design and did not assess actual sport participation or the basic psychological needs proposed by Self-Determination Theory, the results should be interpreted as predictive associations rather than causal effects. The study contributes to the literature by highlighting attitudes toward sport as a distinct cognitive and affective construct that may be associated with psychological resilience and life satisfaction beyond the behavioral dimension of sport participation.