The differences in psychological characteristics between team athletes and individual athletes

Oeloff, Elke (2025) The differences in psychological characteristics between team athletes and individual athletes. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

This study explored the psychological characteristics of young athletes in relation to the type of sport they participate in; team versus individual sports. Using the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire for Children (PCDEQ-C), five psychological factors were assessed: Self-Directed Control and Management, Imagery and Active Preparation, Performance Worries, Adverse Response to Failure, and Social Support. This is the first study to use the PCDEQ-C to compare psychological characteristics between individual and team athletes. A total of 168 student-athletes, 129 team and 39 individual (aged 12 to 18), from a Dutch elite sports school participated. Differences between groups are analysed using a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), controlling for age and gender. Contrary to expectations based on previous research, no significant psychological differences were found between team and individual athletes across any of the five factors. Gender, however, did show a significant effect across the psychological profile. The findings suggest that the broad categorization of sports as either team or individual may overlook meaningful differences within these groups, and that gender and context may play a more influential role in the development of psychological characteristics than sport type alone.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Huijgen, B.C.H.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Talent Development and Creativity (TDC) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2025 14:46
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2025 14:46
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5124

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