Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

Relationship between Personality Traits and Altruism among Physical Education Students: The Mediating Role of Political Behaviors

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Shabnam Naroei Sefidabeh 1
Ali Basirinia 2
Bahman Kord Tamini 3
1 Master's student in political science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
10.22089/spsyj.2025.10485.2161
Abstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to examine, using structural equation modeling, the relationship between personality traits and altruism among physical education students with the mediating role of political behaviors.
Methods: The statistical population of this study consisted of physical education students in Zahedan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, during the spring of 2025. A total of 302 students were selected using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the NEO Five-Factor Inventory developed by Costa and McCrae (1989), the Altruistic Behavior Questionnaire developed by Rossi (2004), and the Political Behavior Questionnaire developed by DuBrin (2009). The data were analyzed using SmartPLS software, version 4.
Results: The results indicated that the direct path coefficients between agreeableness and political behavior (P = 0.026, β = 0.082), neuroticism and political behavior (P = 0.001, β = 0.098), openness to experience and political behavior (P = 0.007, β = 0.007), agreeableness and altruism (P = 0.001, β = 0.296), and political behavior and altruism (P = 0.001, β = −0.385) were statistically significant.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that personality traits play a significant role in the development of altruism among students, and political behaviors function as an important mechanism in this relationship. Therefore, paying attention to the promotion of constructive political behaviors may contribute to enhancing altruism among physical education students.
Keywords
Physical Education
Political Behavior
Personality
Altruism
Subjects
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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 15, Issue 56
Spring 2026
Pages 19-34

  • Receive Date 12 June 2025
  • Revise Date 10 August 2025
  • Accept Date 03 October 2025