Self-Handicapping and Self-Esteem Levels of Judokas

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate self-handicapping and self-esteem levels of judokas. The categorical and demographic information of the subjects (N=149) who voluntarily participated were collected. Self-handicapping scale (SHS) adapted into Turkish by Akin (2012) and self esteem scale (SES) adapted into Turkish by Tukus (2010) were used as online data collection tools. 149 judokas (62 male and 87 female) participated voluntarily. For statistical analysis, independent samples t-test, one way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H and Spearman’s rho were conducted where appropriate. The level of significance was set as p<.05. As a result, statistically significant differences in the self-handicapping scores of judokas found in the gender, marital status, educational status, income, national athlete status and national athlete variables (p<.05). There are statistically significant differences in self-esteem scores in the gender, age, educational status, marital status, national athlete status, international success status, international ranking and training duration variables (p<.05). A moderate and negative correlation (p<.05) was found between self-handicapping and self-esteem. In conclusion, coaches, club managers and other interested parties should consider their athletes in this context, considering that self-handicapping and self-esteem scores are important indicators in sportive performance as it is very important for long-term performance and healthy sports life. It is recommended to record and periodically follow the self-handicapping and self-esteem levels of the athletes.