A Comparison of Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and Time Perspective Dimensions Between Elite and Non-Elite Wrestlers

Document Type : Original research

Authors

1 Postdoctoral Researcher, Sport Sciences Research Institute (SSRI), and Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Purpose
Success in professional sports is influenced by a variety of factors, which arise from both individual and environmental influences (Žvan & Čoh, 2018). According to dynamic systems theory, an individual's development and success in a particular sport is the result of an almost limitless combination of interactions between individual, environmental, and task-related factors. In this regard, psychological variables such as self-efficacy, emotional intelligence and time perspectives can be considered as individual factors that interact in complex ways with environmental factors and task demands, ultimately shaping the development and sports success of gifted athletes (Adams & Nettle, 2009). So far, limited researches has examined and compared psychological variables such as emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among elite and non-elite athletes in our country. Furthermore, time perspective
 
variables have not yet been explored in studies related to the field of sports in our country.
Therefore, the current research was conducted with the aim of identifying important and influential variables in the recognition of sports talent by comparing emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and the different dimensions of time perspective between elite and non-elite wrestlers.
 
Materials & Methods
The design of the current research is descriptive and post-event, with a practical purpose. The statistical population included all Iranian elite and non-elite male wrestlers from across the country. The sample was selected through purposive sampling and consisted of 22 elite wrestlers and 36 non-elite wrestlers, with an average age of 27 years. The data collection tools in this research were: 1) Questionnaire developed by the researcher to gather personal information about the athletes. This questionnaire included questions regarding the athletes' sports activity history, membership history in the national team, and any history of medical conditions. At the end of this questionnaire, the consent form for participation in the research was provided.  2) emotional intelligence questionnaire by Bradbury et al. (2005): this questionnaire, which was used to assess the emotional intelligence of the participants, consists of two parts. 3) Scherer's General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (1982): This scale measures three dimensions of human behavior: the willingness to initiate behavior, the persistence in continuing efforts to complete behavior, and the ability to overcome obstacles.4) Zimbardo and Boyd Time Perspective Questionnaire (1999): This questionnaire evaluates time perspectives through six components:, including negative past, positive past, hedonistic present, deterministic present, future, and sublime future, using a five-point Likert scale. In this research, the implementation steps and especially the data collection were carried out in accordance with the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges it presented. To summarize and categorize the data, descriptive statistics were initially used, including the calculation of central tendency and dispersion indices (mean and standard deviation).Subsequently, after verifying the compliance with the statistical assumptions for the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), including the normality of the data (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test), homogeneity of variances (Levene's test), and the assumption of homogeneity of the variance-covariance matrix (M-box test), the MANOVA test was used to compare emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and the different dimensions of time perspective between elite and non-elite wrestlers. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23 software, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
 
Findings
The results of the Wilkes Lambda test indicated a significant difference between the elite and non-elite wrestler groups in at least one of the variables—emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, or the different dimensions of time perspective (P< 0.000, η² = 0.906, F = 51.178). Based on this, a significant difference was observed between the two groups of elite and non-elite wrestlers in the variables of emotional intelligence (P< 0.000, η² = 0.462) and self-efficacy (P= 0.002, η² = 0.164).  Additionally, significant differences were observed between elite and non-elite wrestlers in the dimensions of time perspective, including critical present (P< 0.000, η² = 0.492), hedonic present (P< 0.044, η² = 0.072, F = 4.247), positive past (P < 0.000, η² = 0.652, F = 104.716), negative past (P< 0.000, η² = 0.615, F = 86.070), future (P< 0.000, η² = 0.754, F = 171.718), and transcendental future (P< 0.000, η² = 0.472, F = 50.126). In this way, except for the component of negative past perspective, the score of elite athletes was lower than non-elite athletes. In all other components, the scores of elite athletes were higher than those of non-elite wrestlers.
Conclusion
According to the results of this research, it can be concluded that the variables of emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and time perspective, along with their impact on elite athletic performance, should receive greater attention from athletes, parents, coaches, and sports experts. The current research was limited to the investigation of elite and non-elite male athletes in the field of wrestling and at adult age levels. In this regard, conducting similar research among elite and non-elite male and female athletes across other individual and team sports, and at various age levels (adolescence, youth, and adulthood), could provide more comprehensive and complete insights for researchers in the field of sports psychology.
 FundingThe present study received no financial support from any institution or organization.
Authors’ Contributions
First author: Data collection, data analysis and authorship of the introduction; Second author: conceptualization and presentation of the idea, and methodology. All authors contributed equally to the writing and revision of the article.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 13, Issue 48
July 2024
Pages 55-74

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 January 2023
  • Revise Date: 03 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 19 February 2024

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