The Relationship between High School Students' Participation in Sporting Activity and Personality Variables

Research studies have indicated that participation in sporting activity can empower and enrich personality. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the participation of male and female high school students in sporting activity and personality variables. The research hypotheses assumed that the level of participation in sporting activity of students would be related to differential levels of self-efficacy, self control and attribution style as well as to gender. 491 students from 10th -12th grades served as the research sample in the present study and were divided into three comparison groups: a competitive sport group; a non-competitive sport group; and a group that did not participate in any sporting activity. The students were administered a demographic questionnaire as well additional questionnaires designed to ascertain their levels of self-efficacy, self control and attribution style.The research findings indicate significant differences between the three research groups on the research variables. The students in the competitive sport group attained higher levels of self efficacy, selfcontrol and attribution style than students in the two other groups. No significant gender differences were found in the study with male and female students in each of the research groups reporting similar levels of self-efficacy, self-control and attribution style.The results of this study indicate that male and female students who participate in competitive sport are characterized by more positive personality characteristics than students who are not involved in that level of sporting activity. These results confirm previous studies that have indicated the advantage of participation in competitive sporting activity at the high school level regarding enhancement of psychological traits such as self-efficacy, self-control and attribution style.