Sports activities’ influence on students’ identities and social interactions
Author
Goldmane, Linda
Term
4. term
Publication year
2014
Submitted on
2014-05-30
Pages
77
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan sportsaktiviteter påvirker studerendes identitet og sociale relationer. Fokus er på studerende mellem 18 og 27 år, som træner regelmæssigt. Undersøgelsen kombinerer kvantitative data (112 spørgeskemaer) og kvalitative data (9 personlige fortællinger) for at finde mønstre mellem deltagelse i sport, identitetsudvikling og socialt liv. Analysen er rammesat af fire teorier og begreber: social identitetsteori (hvordan gruppetilhørsforhold præger selvforståelsen), teorier om interpersonelle og kollektive identiteter (selvet i én-til-én-relationer og i grupper), studenterudviklingsteori (hvordan studerende udvikler sig gennem studietiden) samt begreberne identitet og forbrug (hvordan valg og praksisser kan udtrykke identitet). Specialet er opdelt i to dele: en teoretisk gennemgang og en analyse af de empiriske data. Resultaterne peger på en sammenhæng mellem de studerendes træningsengagement og deres forældres. De studerende fremhæver også gevinster ved sport: bedre humør og holdninger, forbedrede sociale færdigheder, større sociale netværk og personlig udvikling. Tilsammen viser disse fund, hvordan sport kan forme studerendes identitet og sociale interaktioner. Specialet peger desuden på behovet for yderligere forskning i andre fritidsaktiviteter og deres betydning for identitet og sociale færdigheder.
This thesis examines how sports participation influences students’ identities and social relationships. It focuses on students aged 18–27 who exercise regularly. The study combines quantitative data (112 survey responses) and qualitative data (9 personal narratives) to identify patterns linking sports, identity development, and social life. The analysis is guided by four frameworks: social identity theory (how group belonging shapes self-understanding); interpersonal and collective identities (the self in one-to-one relationships and in groups); student development theory (how students grow during their time in education); and the concepts of identity and consumption (how choices and practices can express identity). The thesis is organized in two parts: a review of the theories and an analysis of the empirical data. The findings indicate a link between students’ commitment to exercise and their parents’ exercise habits. Students also report benefits from sports: improved mood and attitudes, better social skills, expanded social networks, and aspects of personality development. Together, these findings show how sports can shape students’ identities and social interactions. The thesis highlights the need for further research on other extracurricular activities and their role in identity and social skill development.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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