Self-esteem and coping with stress among female boxers in Boxing club Ring Ptuj

Vsi občutimo stres, vendar posamezne stresorje dojemamo drugače. Za normalno življenje je določena mera stresa nujno potrebna, saj nas ta spodbudi in motivira. Dokler smo uspešni in funkcionalni kljub stresu, lahko ima ta pozitiven učinek. Težava nastane takrat, ko je stresa preveč. V takšnih primerih lahko stres vodi v različne motnje in bolezni. Na stres se lahko odzovemo na različne načine, odziv pa je odvisen od številnih dejavnikov, kot so živčni sistem, kognitivno delovanje, pretekle izkušnje, osebnostne lastnosti itd. Eden izmed dejavnikov je tudi samopodoba, ki je kompleksen pojav in vpliva na različna področja našega življenja. Na podlagi tega, kako vidimo in vrednotimo sami sebe, delujemo v vsakdanjem življenju. Na stres in samopodobo pa imamo možnost vplivati. Stres lahko obvladujemo z različnimi strategijami, samopodobo pa si lahko izboljšujemo s premagovanjem ovir v življenju ali s spremembo življenjskega sloga. Obema je skupno, da nanju vplivamo s telesno aktivnostjo, saj ima slednja številne pozitivne učinke. Namen raziskave, izvedene med sedmimi boksarkami Boks kluba Ring Ptuj, je bil osvetliti njihovo doživljanje stresa in samopodobe. V raziskavi je bila uporabljena fenomenološka metodologija raziskovanja, kot pripomoček pa je bil izbran delno strukturiran intervju, ki je omogočil globlji vpogled v doživljanje boksark. Analiza rezultatov je osvetlila sedem tem, ki so bile skupne vsem udeleženkam: a) doživljanje stresa na področju doma, službe in šole, b) doživljanje simptomov stresa, c) spopadanje s stresom, d) boks kot tehnika sproščanja, e) nižja samopodoba in potreba po izboljšanju le-te, f) telesna samopodoba kot pomemben vidik splošne samopodobe in g) učinki boksa na samopodobo. Udeleženke doživljajo največ stresa na področju doma, službe in šole. Simptomi stresa se kažejo predvsem v psihični obliki, v fizični obliki so manj opazni. Udeleženke so poročale o nižji ali srednji samopodobi in kazale željo po izboljšavi le-te. Samopodobo v veliki meri razumejo kot telesno samopodobo in fizičnemu izgledu pripisujejo velik pomen. Raziskava je pokazala, da boks pozitivno vpliva na samopodobo boksark oz. na posamezna področja samopodobe in lahko služi kot tehnika za sproščanje in zmanjševanje simptomov stresa.We all feel stress, however, we perceive individual stressors in different ways. A certain level of stress is essential for a normal life, as it encourages and motivates us. As long as we are successful and functional in spite of the stress, it can have a positive effect. The issue occurs when there is too much stress. In such cases, stress may lead to various disorders and illnesses. We can respond to stress in different ways, whereby the response depends on numerous factors, such as the nervous system, cognitive functioning, past experiences, personality traits etc.. One of the factors is also the self-image, which is a complex phenomenon, affecting various aspects of our lives. In our daily lives, we operate based on how we see and evaluate ourselves. We do have the possibility to influence stress and self-image. Stress can be managed through various strategies and the self-image can be improved by beating challenges in life or through the change of the lifestyle. It is a common trait of both that they can be influenced by physical activity, as it has numerous positive effects. The purpose of the research carried out among seven female boxers of the Boxing Club Ring in the city of Ptuj was to shed light on their perception of stress and self-image. The research employed the phenomenological methodology with the tool of choice being a partly structured interview, which enabled deeper insight into the life of the female boxers. The analysis of results shed light on seven topics that were common to all participants: a) experiencing stress at home, at work and in school, b) experiencing of stress symptoms, c) coping with stress, d) boxing as a relaxation technique, e) poor self-image and the need to improve it, f) physical self-image as an important aspect of the general self-image and g) effects of boxing on self-image. The participants experience the majority of stress concerning home, work and school. Symptoms of stress manifest mainly in psychological form and are less noticeable in physical form. The participants reported on poor or average self-image and demonstrated a wish to improve it. The self-image is mainly understood as physical self-image and a great significance is ascribed to the physical appearance. The research has shown that boxing has a positive influence on the self-image of the female boxers or particular aspects thereof and may serve as a relaxation and stress symptom reduction technique