Psychological Coping Skills of Handball Female Players : Masters Thesis

Na uzorku od 91 rukometašice koje igraju u prvoligaškim hrvatskim klubovima provedeno je istraživanje s ciljem utvrđivanja osnovnih obilježja psiholoških vještina suočavanja. Svaka igračica je ispunila dva upitnika: upitnik općih podataka i podataka o igranju rukometa, te upitnik ACSI-28. Istražene su moguće razlike po dobi ispitanica, po igračkoj poziciji te po igračkom iskustvu ispitanica. S obzirom na kronološku dob ispitanice, igračice su podijeljene u tri dobne kategorije: od 14 do 16 godina, od 17 do 21 te od 22 godine i starije. Razlikuje se skupina najstarijih igračica od dvaju skupina mlađih u varijablama dostupnost treniranju i suočavanje s poteškoćama. Nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razliku u psihološkim obilježjima s obzirom na igračke pozicije ispitanih rukometašica. Svaka igračka pozicija u igri nosi približno sličnu odgovornost za svaku od igračica. Varijabla igračko iskustvo razlikuje mlađe igračice od onih starijih. Igračice sa dugogodišnjim igračkim iskustvom lakše podnose pritisak igre (varijabla igranje pod pritiskom), te se lakše snalaze u teškim i složenim situacijama (varijabla suočavanje s poteškoćama) u igri od mlađih igračica. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na činjenicu kako je u ženskim rukometnim klubovima potrebno više raditi na psihološkom aspektu priprema igračica.The aim of this study was to determinate basic characteristics of psychological coping skills on a sample of handball female players playing in Croatian national first-league clubs. Each female player completed two questionnaires: a general data and handball related data questionnaire, and an ACSI-28 psychological coping skills questionnaire. Possible differences in the age of the subjects, in the playing position and in the playing experience of the subjects were explored. According to the chronological age of the respondents, the players were divided into three age categories: from 14 to 16 years, from 17 to 21 and from 22 years and older. The group of the oldest players differs from the two groups of younger ones in the variables accessibility to coachability and coping with adversity. No statistically significant difference in psychological coping characteristics was found with regard to the playing positions of the examined handball female players. Each player position in the game ‘carries’ approximately similar responsibilities for the players. The variable playing experience distinguishes younger players from older ones. Players with many years of playing experience are easier to withstand the playing under pressure of the game, easier to cope with adversity and complex situations in playing handball than younger players. The obtained results indicate the fact that in women's handball clubs it is necessary to work more on the psychological aspect of player preparation