Clarifying Gender Differences in Psychological Skills and Aggression among University Athletes: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Indicators between Individuals from Delhi and Baghdad
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.1.05Keywords:
psychological skill, aggression, gender differences, university athletes, cross-cultureAbstract
Background. Psychological skills and aggression are pivotal in athletic performance, influenced by both gender and cultural contexts. These factors are shaped by individual differences and cultural influences, they are essential to the development and use of these skills by athletes in sports.
Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in psychological skills and aggression levels across gender and university, providing insights into the psychological profiles of athletes within distinct cultural contexts.
Materials and Methods. The study involved 300 athletes from the University of Delhi, India, and the University of Baghdad, Iraq, aged 18 to 30 years. Each university contributed 150 athletes, evenly divided by gender (75 males and 75 females). The participants were selected using non-probability quota and purposive sampling methods. Psychological skills were assessed using the Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports (PSIS), while aggression levels were measured with the Sports Aggression Questionnaire. Data collection occurred in a controlled environment under the supervision of trained researchers. Statistical analyses included a two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients, utilizing SPSS software.
Results. Significant differences in psychological skills and aggression levels were observed across universities and genders. According to the results obtained, University of Delhi athletes showed higher psychological skills (PS: 154.83 ± 18.50) compared to University of Baghdad athletes (PS: 109.83 ± 26.05). Furthermore, male athletes from Delhi exhibited greater aggression (44.41 ± 10.35) than their Baghdad counterparts (37.93 ± 4.20). A two-way ANOVA revealed that player type significantly influenced psychological skills (F = 300.47, p = 0.01) and aggression (F = 71.54, p = 0.01). Gender also significantly impacted Anxiety Control (F = 8.64, p = 0.01) and Foul Play (F = 4.94, p = 0.05). A weak positive correlation (r = 0.284, p = 0.01) was identified between psychological skills and aggression, suggesting a slight tendency for increased psychological skills to correspond with higher aggression levels.
Conclusions. These findings underscore the importance of considering both gender and university context when evaluating psychological skills and aggression in athletes. The insights derived from this study can inform the development of targeted training and support strategies to enhance athlete performance and well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Jabbar Abiyra, Sandeep Tiwari, Sandhya Tiwari, Mir Ahsan Ul Haq
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