An Examination of Assertiveness and Aggression Level of Amateur Soccer Players in Different Age Groups

Abstract

The aim of present study was to determine assertiveness and aggression level of soccer players in different age groups. Participants were 150 amateur soccer players between ages of 14 to 30 years. Assertiveness and aggression level of participants were measured by Aggression Inventory which was developed by Kiper (1984). Three dimensions and 30 items (10 items per subscale) comprised the inventory. Subscales of the inventory are called as destructive aggression, assertiveness and passive aggression. Inventory was administered players in three different categories of amateur soccer league in Antalya (Junior, Youth and Senior).Results of statistical analyses revealed that in destructive aggression there were significant differences between senior groups and both junior and youth groups (p<.05). Senior groups had the highest score in destructive aggression. In passive aggression subscale scores, the senior soccer players significantly had lower score than both junior and youth groups (p<.05). There was no significant differences between youth and junior soccer players (p>.05). An examination of assertiveness subscale showed that there were significant differences between age groups. Follow-up test revealed that junior soccer had significantly lower assertiveness score than both youth and senior players. There was no significant difference between youth and senior soccer player in assertiveness scores.