Examination of Anger Prevalence In Ncaa Division I Student-athletes

Abstract

Anger may have an impact on performance. Once anger is triggered, it may not allow an athlete to move beyond whatever prompted the anger and in turn may decrease their concentration and focus on continued performance. Research is limited in the collegiate athletic population. PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of anger in collegiate NCAA Division I athletes; and to investigate differences between sex, academic status (i.e., freshman, senior) and sport type (e.g., football, soccer, cheerleading). METHODS: As part of a larger study, collegiate athletes (N=616, age: 19.5±1.3 years; males: n=234, height: 183.5±14.3 cm, weight: 91.2±19.5 kg; females: n=382, height: 168.6±7.4 cm, weight: 63.4±9.8 kg) were recruited over a 3-year period from a NCAA Division I Institution. Demographic information (e.g., age, self-reported height and weight, sex, academic status, sport type) and the Anger Index Self-Test were collected via SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: Chi-squared analysis revealed a significant difference between the anger index and sex [Χ2(2, N=613) = 20.3, P ≤ 0.01]. Overall 37.7% (N=232/616) reported high risk for anger with males 47.9% (n=112/234) and females 31.4% (n=120/382). Chi-squared analysis revealed a significant difference between the anger index and sport type [Χ2(42, N=616) = 61.3, P ≤ 0.03], with the highest percentages reporting high risk for anger within football 55.2% (n= 64/116) and baseball 50% (n= 19/38). Overall, 54.7% (N=337/616) revealed moderate risk for anger and sport type. No significant differences were found for anger risk and academic status [Χ2(10, N=616) = 5.220, P > 0.88]. CONCLUSIONS: Male collegiate athletes demonstrated a higher risk for anger than female collegiate athletes; however, most athletes displayed moderate risk for anger across different sports. Anger across academic status was not significant, therefore, this may imply anger management and/or coping skills were not learned or taught throughout college. Further examination is necessary to investigate the prevalence of risky behaviors in combination with anger among this population. Considering the high prevalence of anger among collegiate athletes; institutions should work to establish a screening for all student-athletes and direct those at risk to a qualified mental health professional for intervention.