Examination of Loneliness and Peer Relations of Physical Education Teacher Candidates

Abstract

The behavior of the physical education teacher in the classroom or in the gym also affects the students' achievement and personality development. It is important to examine different aspects of loneliness and peer relations, which are thought to be one of the indicators of the level of sociability, in the profession of physical education teacher. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the loneliness and peer relations of physical education and sports teacher candidates. In the section of physical education and sport teachers 229 students were administered the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Peer Relations Scale. According to the gender, while differences were found in peer relations, there was no difference in loneliness levels. There were differences in peer relations in terms of classes. It was found that the level of loneliness was different according to the number of close friends, the level of loneliness increased as the number of friends decreased, and the level of loneliness decreased as the peer relations increased. It was found that the highest level of loneliness was in students who spent 5-7 hours on social networks. As a result, it can be said that the inclusion of sportive game-like practices in school education is effective in strengthening friendship and reducing loneliness.

Keywords: loneliness, peer relations, physical education teacher