Psychological profile of Slovene bodybuilders

The aim of the research was to determine personality profile of Slovene bodybuilders. In this study we compared a group of 31 Slovene bodybuilders (31.6 %), a group of 36 Slovene elite individual athletes (36.7 %) and a group of 31 non-athletes (31.6 %). The following inventories were used: Personality questionnaire FPI 114, Tennessee scale of self-image and Athletic Identity Measurement Scale. Some significant differences were found among these participants. Bodybuilders scored lower on depression, irritability, suppression, sincerity and emotional instability. They also showed higher self-esteem scores (physical self, moral-ethical, personal and social self, they have a stronger identity, self-image, higher perceptions of suitability of behavior) than other elite athletes and non-athletes. Family self was well expressed in both groups of athletes. Bodybuilders described themselves as less honest and less critical about themselves, which attributes them a defensive orientation and probably protects from criticism and feelings of inferiority