
Psycho-Social Interactions of Skiing: A Study Using Science Mapping Technique
Chapter from the book:
Alaeddinoğlu,
V.
&
Alaeddinoğlu,
M.
F.
&
Yıkılgan,
A.
&
Sepil,
Y.
(eds.)
2025.
Research on Physical Education and Sports in the Digitalizing World.
Synopsis
This study aims to deeply examine the psychosocial interactions of skiing on individuals through the lens of science mapping. Beyond being merely a physical activity, skiing is a multifaceted sport that significantly impacts participants' mental and social well-being. In this context, it's crucial to reveal the general structure of the existing literature, identify key research areas, and guide future studies.
For this research, academic publications were analyzed, which were retrieved from the WoS database using keywords such as "skiing," "psychology of skiing," "social aspects of skiing," "mental health in skiing," and "well-being and skiing." The collected data was processed using bibliometric methods to identify the most prolific authors, institutions, countries, and journals. Additionally, thematic clusters and intellectual structures within the literature were visualized through keyword co-occurrence analysis and citation networks.
The analyses show that studies focusing on the psychosocial benefits of skiing—such as stress reduction, increased self-confidence, interaction with nature, strengthening social bonds, and acquiring new skills—hold a significant place in the literature. However, the findings also indicate a need for more detailed examination of psychosocial interactions across different age groups, socioeconomic levels, and cultural contexts. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the wide range of psychosocial benefits of skiing and opens new avenues for future research.