EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT SPORTS

Abstract

A number of studies in psychology and the field of sports focus on the topic of the relationship between emotional intelligence and personality characteristics as well as their influence on sports performance. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the connections and interrelations among personality traits: extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability and openness to experience, and emotional intelligence in relation to successful performance in sport. METHODS: The research was done among 88 athletes practicing different sports (46 women and 42 men, aged between 12 and 59 years old), divided into groups according to their age, gender, qualification, sports experience, and level of education. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the appraisal of others’ emotions (U=602; p=.017) along the factor ‘education’ (Secondary or High). Athletes with high education are more adept at determining the emotions of others than those with secondary education. We revealed statistically significant differences according to gender in agreeableness (U=706; p=.029) and appraisal of others’ emotions (U=714; p=.034). CONCLUSIONS: The female athletes showed higher results than the male ones on the agreeableness scale and were better at appraising others’ emotions.

Keywords

• personality traits
• emotional intelligence
• sport performance