Sport and social integration of immigrant students: Validation of a questionnaire for Greek higher education

Abstract

Integrating first- and second-generation immigrant students into higher education remains a significant challenge for modern Greek universities. Although physical education and university sport programmes are widely recognised as effective means for fostering social bonds, a significant gap persists in the availability of valid and reliable instruments to assess this phenomenon within the Greek academic environment. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Allen, Drane, Byon & Mohn (2010) questionnaire using Greek data and to utilise it to measure the social integration of immigrant students in physical education and sport programmes in higher education. Specifically, this research examined how university sport programmes affect the social integration of enrolled immigrant students. The sample comprised 43 students, of whom 23 were men and 20 were women, enrolled in departments of the International University of Greece in Kavala and Serres, with their own or their parents’ (second-generation immigrants) origins in other countries. The students were members of the university gyms, and their participation was voluntary. Statistical analysis of the results confirmed that the adapted questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring social inclusion in physical education and university sport. In conclusion, the Greek adaptation of the Allen et al. (2010) questionnaire effectively addresses a significant methodological gap in the domestic literature. University sport programmes can serve as effective integration tools, and researchers are now equipped with a scientific instrument to assess, monitor and optimise these programmes to better support immigrant students.