Attitudes toward physical education and PE-related happiness among secondary school students in a rural district of Türkiye: a cross-sectional study

Physical education (PE) classes play an important role in promoting adolescents’ physical, psychological and social well-being. However, limited research has examined the relationship between attitudes toward PE classes and PE-related happiness, particularly among adolescents living in rural and district contexts. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between secondary school students’ attitudes toward PE classes and their happiness levels, while accounting for gender, age, place of residence, and sports participation. A cross-sectional correlational design was used. A total of 406 secondary school students participated in the study, including 233 girls and 173 boys. Data were collected using the PE Class Happiness Level Scale and the Attitude Scale toward PE Class for Secondary School Students. The findings revealed that students who participated in sports reported significantly higher PE-related happiness than non-participants. In addition, students living in villages demonstrated significantly higher attitudes toward PE classes and higher PE-related happiness than those living in district centers. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a moderate positive relationship between attitudes toward PE classes and PE-related happiness ( r = .557; p < .001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that attitude toward PE classes was the factor most strongly associated with PE-related happiness (β = 0.540; p < .001). Positive attitudes toward PE classes and regular participation in sports were associated with higher levels of PE-related happiness among adolescents. The findings suggest that positive engagement in PE classes and participation in sports are associated with more positive affective experiences within PE settings.