The Distinctive Psychological Features of Swimmers in Jordan and its Relation to the Achievement Motivation

Abstract

Objectives: This study assesses the distinctive psychological features of swimmers in Jordan. It also assesses the relationship between the distinctive psychological features and the achievement motivation and whether there is a difference in these psychological features according to gender, age, and the swimmers’ classification variables. 
 Methods: The researchers used the descriptive method. The sample consisted of 150 swimmers (100 males and 50 females) who were listed in the Jordanian swimming federation records for 2019. They were chosen randomly. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed to measure the psychological features of swimmers which consisted of (25) items distributed into (5) fields. Another questionnaire was designed to assess achievement motivation and consisted of (18) items. Descriptive statistics were generated and Pearson correlation was used to analyze the data. 
 Results: The means of distinctive psychological features of swimmers in Jordan were high. There is a positive relationship between all the psychological features and the achievement motivation. Males have significantly higher mean values in self–control feature than females. Females have significantly higher mean values in the perseverance and wellness than males. The 14 years and younger swimmers have higher mean values in braveness and boldness compared to other age groups. Finally, swimmers play at club level have higher mean values in the self-control and perseverance and the wellness than other groups.
 Conclusions: There is a need for swimming coaches to pay attention to developing the psychological characteristics of swimmers because of their positive input on motivation and thus improving the achievement of swimmers.