20th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Relationship between Personality, Life Stress, and Sport Confidence among Intercollegiate Athletes
Amber N. Watton*, Brett A. Dockery, and Joshua H. Miley
Dr. Jennifer R. Hurst, Faculty Mentor
This research investigated the possible relationship between personality, sport confidence, and life stress. In a sample of intercollegiate athletes (N=173), survey packets were administered including the Big Five Inventory, the Life Events Survey for Collegiate Athletes, and the Sport Confidence Inventory. A regression equation was calculated revealing the personality scale of Neuroticism was predictive of the experience of Negative Life Stress (β= .353). 12.5% of the variance in Negative Life Stress was accounted for by an individual’s Neuroticism score. Further analysis was done to determine what factors influence this connection. Independent sample t-tests were run comparing individuals with the highest and lowest Neuroticism scores. Significant differences were found between level of Agreeableness (t=3.891, p<.001), Conscientiousness (t=2.832, p<.005), and Sport Confidence (t=2.382, p<.02). Results suggest screening for athletes with a strong neurotic personality trait could assist in early intervention strategies to learn coping skills to manage stress and raise sport confidence.
Keywords: personality, life stress, sport confidence, Neuroticism, athletes
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 37-4
Location: OP 2121
Time: 2:00 pm