Are there gender differences in trait anger and anger expression style in Turkish combat athletes?

• Published in: Journal of Physical Education and Sport Vol. 13; no. 3; p. 447
• Main Author: Kurt, Cem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pitesti Universitatea din Pitesti 01.09.2013
• Subjects: Adolescents; Anger; Athletes (women); College students; Data Analysis; Emotional Response; Environmental Influences; Females; Gender differences; High school basketball; High school football; High School Students; Individual Differences; Likert scale; Likert Scales; Males; Martial arts; Personality; Researchers; Sampling; Secondary school students; Studies
• ISSN: 2247-8051; 2247-806X
• DOI: 10.7752/jpes.2013.03071

The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in the trait anger and anger expression styles of Turkish athletes engaging in karate, judo, or taekwondo. The sample comprised 507 combat athletes (214 female) from seven regions and 30 different cities in Turkey. Data on age, sports experience, height, weight, educational level, number of training sessions per week, and total hours of training per week were obtained using a personal information form created by the researcher and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Trait anger and anger expression styles were assessed using the Turkish version of Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS), adapted for the Turkish context by Özer (1994). Men were significantly taller and heavier than women (p < 0.001). No differences were found for other descriptive statistics. Scores for the trait anger, anger in, anger out, and anger control factors for men and women did not significantly differ (p < 0.05).The absence of gender differences may be due to the fact that the athletes who participated in this study have similar age, educational level, sports-related experience, status (experience playing at national level), number of training sessions per week and total hours of training per week. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]