Analyzing the Determinants of Safety in Indoor School Sports Facilities in Ardabil Province Using Structural Equation Modeling
Keywords:
Sports Facility Safety, Safety Management, Safety Education, Schools, Structural Equation ModelingAbstract
This study aims to quantitatively examine the key determinants of safety in indoor school sports facilities in Ardabil Province and to develop an explanatory structural equation model. This applied study employed a quantitative descriptive–analytical design. The population consisted of school principals, physical education teachers, technical experts of sports facilities, and administrative staff of Ardabil’s Department of Education. Using stratified random sampling, 250 participants were selected. Data were collected through a 26-item researcher-developed questionnaire covering nine dimensions of facility safety. Construct validity was confirmed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and AVE indices. Data were analyzed via SPSS and SmartPLS using structural equation modeling. The final model demonstrated strong goodness of fit (KMO=0.86; R²=0.71; Q²=0.47; GOF=0.61). All structural paths were statistically significant (p<0.05). Safety management (β=0.41), safety education and culture (β=0.35), monitoring and control (β=0.28), and financial resources (β=0.24) exerted the strongest direct effects on facility safety. Physical design, intersectoral cooperation, accident feedback systems, and access security also showed significant positive effects. Safety in school sports facilities is a multidimensional construct that requires coordinated managerial commitment, continuous training, adequate financial support, and systematic supervision, and the proposed model provides a reliable evidence-based framework for educational policymakers.
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