Verification of the structural relationship model of college athletes’ perfectionism, anxiety, and aggression in contact and non-contact sports

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate differences among perfectionism, anxiety, and aggression in contact and non-contact sports and verify the structural relationship model of perfectionism, anxiety, and aggression in the field of sports. Methods Male college athletes (N=299) participated in the study and perfectionism, anxiety, and aggression questionnaires were utilized after their verification of validity and reliability were conducted. The descriptive statistical analysis, the multivariate analysis, the correlation analysis, the structural equation analysis, and the multi-group analysis were conducted. Results The results are as follows: First, the level of perfectionism, anxiety, and aggression were significantly different between contact and non-contact sports (F=4.316, p<.001). Additionally, subfactors of aggression such as hostility, physical aggression, and verbal aggression factors in contact sports showed a higher average than non-contact sports. Second, perfectionism positively affected anxiety (t=6.936, p<.001) and anxiety positively affected aggression (t=3.380, p<.001). Moreover, the complete mediation effect of anxiety was found in the path from perfectionism to aggression (β=.152, p<.01). Finally, we compared path coefficients between contact and non-contact sports. As a result, positive causal relationships was indicated in the path from anxiety to aggression (β=.511, p<.001) in contact sports. However, it was not discovered in non-contact sports (β=.149, p>.05). Conclusions In conclusion, perfectionism causes anxiety and anxiety is a mediator leading to aggression in sports. Such effect is more predictable and observable in contact sports in which aggression is more favorable and encouraged. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.