The Effect of Coping Strategy on Life Satisfaction in Faculty of Sports Sciences: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support

This study aims to investigate the effect of coping strategies on life satisfaction and how this relationship is This study aims to investigate the effect of coping strategies on life satisfaction and how this relationship is mediated by perceived social support. A total of 331 students (216 males, 115 females) studying at the Faculty of Sport Sciences participated in the study designed with a relational survey model. Data were collected using the Effective Coping Strategies Scale (SCA), Satisfaction with Life Scale (LSS) and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (SMPSS). The validity of the measurement model was tested through confirmatory factor analysis with the AMOS 26 program. Hypotheses were tested with Pearson correlation analysis and bootstrap-based regression analysis using Hayes' Process Macro (Model 4). A positive and significant relationship was found between coping strategies and life satisfaction (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Similarly, a strong positive correlation was found between coping strategies and perceived social support (r = 0.84, p < 0.001). Regression results showed that coping strategies significantly influenced perceived social support. When the mediator variable was included in the model, coping strategies remained a significant predictor of life satisfaction. Perceived social support also had a significant effect on life satisfaction, controlling for coping strategies. Furthermore, the indirect effect of coping strategies on life satisfaction was significant through perceived social support. The findings suggest that effective coping strategies are an important mediator of perceived social support in increasing life satisfaction. These results emphasize the role of social support on psychological well-being and support the positive contribution of coping strategies to life satisfaction.