The relationship between mindfulness and optimism-pessimism levels in athletes
Yuni Astuti, Bekir Erhan Orhan, Aydın Karaçam, Erianti Erianti, Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Retos August 13, 2024 DOI: 10.47197/retos.v59.106558 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Correlational survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 236 |
| Population | Athletes from various sporting disciplines and educational backgrounds |
| Measures | Athlete Optimism And Pessimism Scale (AOPS), Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Optimism was positively associated with the Mindfulness subcomponents Awareness and Refocusing, whereas Pessimism was negatively associated with them. No gender differences emerged in overall Optimism, Pessimism, or Mindfulness, though males showed higher Refocusing; sport type, education level, and age showed no significant relationships with these traits. The authors argue these patterns support tailored interventions that enhance Optimism and Mindfulness while reducing Pessimism. |
Abstract
This study investigates the interplay between psychological traits—Optimism, Pessimism, and Mindfulness—and their collective impact on athletes' performance and well-being. Employing a correlational survey design, this study engages a carefully selected convenience sample comprising 236 athletes from various sporting disciplines, encompassing various educational backgrounds. The sample included 33.1% women and 66.9% men, with a significant portion holding bachelor's degrees. The Athlete Optimism And Pessimism Scale (AOPS) and the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS) were administered to assess the psychological constructs. Analytical methods included t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlations. Results indicate no gender differences in overall Optimism, Pessimism, and Mindfulness. However, males displayed higher Refocusing abilities. No significant impact of sport type or education level was observed on these psychological traits. Age showed no correlation with the variables. A positive association between Optimism and the Mindfulness subcomponents of Awareness and Refocusing emerged, highlighting Optimism's beneficial role. In contrast, Pessimism showed negative correlations, suggesting its detrimental effect. The findings underscore the need for tailored psychological interventions that enhance Optimism and Mindfulness while reducing Pessimism. This study contributes to sports psychology by suggesting that individualized interventions are crucial for fostering an athlete's psychological resilience and performance, with the potential for growth and adaptation extending across the lifespan. Keywords: Athletic Performance, Psychological Resilience, Mindfulness, Optimism, Pessimism
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |