Browsing by Author "Hoian, I."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 23

ANXIETY AS A MULTIFACETED PHENOMENON WITHIN THE MOTIVATIONAL ORIENTATION OF JUNIOR ATHLETES
(2024) Popovych, I.; Попович, I.; Rodchenkova, I.; Lukjanchenko, V.; Yurkiv, Y.; Bilous, R.; Shevchenko, N.; Hoian, I.
The objective is to empirically investigate statistically significant correlations and elucidate determinants of high and low anxiety parameters within the motivational orientation dimensions of junior athletes. The study encompassed male and female junior athletes (n = 96) (Мe = 17; М = 17.38; SD = ±1.71) representing individual sports from sports schools for children and young people – “SSSYOR №1” in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine and “LSSCY Enerhetyk” in Lviv, Ukraine – and youth academies of professional handball clubs: “HC Dniprianka” in Kherson, Ukraine and “HC Real” in Mykolaiv, Ukraine and football club “FC Enerhiya” in Lviv, Ukraine. Methods: valid and reliable methods were applied to find the parameters of anxiety and motivational orientation of the respondents before the beginning of the game. Additionally, a planned observation with standard blanks was used. Statistical coefficients were used to establish significant correlations. Results. It was found that the junior athletes with a low level (Group 1) of the parameters of anxiety have an advantage in the level of motivation over the athletes with a high level (Group 2). A lack of advantage in the parameters of situational and personal social protection – SSP (U = 623.50; p = .549) and PSP (U = 532.00; p = .091) – was explained by an equally important impact of this protection for the respondents with a high level and those with a low level. It was proved that high and low psychological content parameter of anxiety have statistically significant correlations with the respondents’ motivational orientation: Group 1 – thirty correlations; Group 2 – twenty seven correlations. It was empirically established that situational (SAEP) and personal (PAEP) anxious evaluation of prospects has a positive impact on subject-directed (SbM) and socially-directed (ScM) motivational orientation in the two research groups. Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that the impact of the parameters of SAEP and PAEP are within the scope of a personal choice, social pressure and an athlete’s construction of the future that requires psychological assistance and support of coaching and teaching staff. It was highlighted that the impact of spectators, social pressure of mass-media, expectations of fans, coaching staff and management of an organization (sports school/professional club) and junior athletes’ aspirations to meet other peoples’ expectations are wrong tactics and strategies of training and competitive process. We can generalize that anxiety is a multifaceted phenomenon in the dimensions of motivational orientation of junior athletes combining a complex of internal and external factors determining psychophysiological reactions of a junior athlete’s body and their motivational orientation. We recommend that the obtained results should be taken into consideration by coaches working with juniors
ATHLETES’ RESILIENCE TYPOLOGY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM SPORTS
(2022) Popovych, I. S.; Radul, I.; Hoian, I.; Ohnystyi, A.; Doichyk, V.; Burlakova, I.; Попович, І. С.
The purpose of the empirical study is to develop and substantiate a typology of athletes’ resilience, as well as to compare different types of resilience among representatives of individual sports and team sports. Individual sports are represented by athletes from athletics, boxing, and weightlifting (n=312; average age M=26.2), and team sports are represented by representatives from mini-football, football, handball, and volleyball (n=322, average age M=28.1). Research methods: psychodiagnostic methods that used scales to evaluate the content parameters of the researched phenomena in a relevant way; participant observation; k-means cluster analysis; Spearman method correlation analysis (rs); criterion angle-transformation of Fisher’s (φ). Results. It is substantiated that athletes’ resilience typology is a scientific classification of abstract theoretical complexes (types) that integrate the most essential content parameters, structural and functional characteristics of athletes’ resilience. Commitment (rs=.148), Control (rs=.086), Challenge (rs=.076), Hardiness (rs=.115), Emotional Stability (rs=.146), Cheerfulness (rs=.186), and Motivation to Succeed (rs=.202) were determined as the content factors with the strongest connection to Resilience (р<.01; р<.05). Individual and team sports were formed as empirical typologies of athletes’ resilience. Individual athletes’ resilience was classified into four types: Value- Oriented (VO), Motivational-Oriented (MO), Socially Acceptable (SA), and Emotionally Stable (ES). The following types of team sports athletes’ resilience were identified: Motivational-Valued (MV), Control- Pragmatic (CP), Socially Acceptable (SA), and Resilient (RS). The distinctions in content features of athletes’ socially acceptable types of resilience in individual and team sports are substantiated. Conclusions. The first hypothesis was confirmed when two types of athlete resilience were developed. The second hypothesis is confirmed since the construction of resilience types is based on the dominating levels of content parameters. The third hypothesis cannot be statistically proven or disproven since the three types of athletes’ resilience differ in content parameters and cannot be compared. The Socially Acceptable type was compared, but no significant differences were found (р ≥ .05). It is recommended that representatives of individual and team sports consider the obtained results and that they be operationalized in athletes’ tactical training.
COGNITIVE PREDICTORS OF JUNIOR ATHLETES' COPING STRATEGIES IN CHALLENGING COMPETITIVE SITUATIONS.
(2026) Popovych, I. S.; Halian, I.; Halian, A.; Kryzhanovskyi, O.; Hoi, N.; Kurytsia, D.; Sokolova, H.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
The aim of the study was to examine the cognitive predictors of junior athletes' choice of coping strategies in difficult competitive situations in sports activities (n = 118). Methods: Valid psychodiagnostic methodologies, mathematical statistics for data analysis, and methods for interpreting empirical results were used. Results: Significant direct correlations were established between task-oriented coping and the following variables: “critical thinking” (R = .300; p ˂ .010; R2 = .090), “awareness of conflict situations” (R = .388; p ˂ .010; R2 = .150), “skills in resolving conflict situations” (R = .330; p ˂ .010; R2 = .108), and “ability to resolve conflict situations” (R = .304; p ˂ .010; R2 = .092). Emotion-focused coping has significant inverse correlations with “critical thinking” (R = -.234; p ˂ .050; R2 = .054), “flexible thinking” (R = -.250; p ˂ .050; R2 = .062), “ability to resolve conflict situations” (R = -.227; p ˂ .050; R2 = .051), “communication skills” (R = -.283; p ˂ .010; R2 = .080), and “organizational skills” (R = -.223; p ˂ .050; R2 = .049). The predictors of task-oriented coping include “awareness of conflict situations” (β = .235), “critical thinking” (β = .235), “organisational skills” (β = .229), and “ability to resolve conflict situations” (β = .206). Emotion-focused coping is commonly chosen by respondents with low levels of “communication skills” (β = -.248), “flexible thinking” (β = -.212), and “critical thinking” (β = -.207). Discussion and conclusions. It was found that the most significant predictors of adaptive coping strategies include critical thinking and flexible thinking as components of the cognitive process of mental reflection. They ensure junior athletes’ awareness of difficult life situations and ability to cope with them. The research shows that the maximum involvement of cognitive structures for assessing a competitive situation maintains the meaning-creating function of coping. The prospects for further research can be seen in examining the value and meaning predictors of junior athletes’ selection of coping strategies in difficult competitive situations.
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH INTO VALUES AND MOTIVES OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS.
(2026) Kurova, A.; Popovych, I. S.; Shevchenko, N.; Nevelia, A.; Radul, I.; Tor, L.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
This study compared the values and motives among university students with varying levels of physical activity. The sample included 120 second- and third-year full-time students aged 18–20 from Ukrainian universities. Participants were categorized into three groups based on physical activity levels (PALs): low (Group 1), medium (Group 2), and high (Group 3), with gender balance maintained across the randomly selected sample. Results. The diagrams of values and motives of respondents with different physical activity levels were created. Superiority across the groups was observed in the following values (p <.001): Group 1 – “universalism”, “self- direction”, “stimulation”, “achievement”, “power”, and “security”; Group 2 – “conformity”, “self-direction”, and “hedonism”; Group 3 – “universalism”, “self-direction”, “stimulation”, “achievement”, “power”, and “security”. Superiority across the groups was observed in the following motives (p ≤ .050; p ≤ .010; р < .001): Group 1 – “avoidance motive”, “motive for changing activity”, “regularity of results”; Group 2 – “assessment of results achieved”; Group 3 – “self-respect motive”, “regularity of results”, “assessment of results achieved”, and “assessment of one’s potential”. For the grouping variable “gender differentiation”, five superiorities in the male subsample were identified in the following values: “tradition” (d = -.468), “benevolence” (d = -.612), “universalism” (d = -.395), “stimulation” (d = -.462), and “security” (p = .011; d = -.476). For the grouping variable “gender differentiation”, superiority was observed in the “self-respect motive” (d = .385) in the female subsample. Correlation matrices showed significant close relationships between PALs and values (nine correlations) and between PALs and motives (three correlations). Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that values, unlike motives, are deep beliefs that determine what students consider valuable and important. It was underscored that a scientific value can be assigned to the successful study of the role and place of physical activity in the dimensions of values and motives among university students.
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH ON CREATIVITY IN JUNIORS' MOTIVATION STRUCTURE
(2025) Popovych, I. S.; Unhurian, N.; Varnava, U.; Bilosevych, I.; Soroka, O.; Dobrovolska, N.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
The aim of this study was to perform theoretical–empirical research into the psychological parameters of creativity within the motivation structure of junior athletes and to compare the findings by gender and sport. Methods: The research sample consisted of 90 junior athletes (45 males, 45 females), representing both team sports (volleyball, mini-football, football, and handball) and individual sports (Greco–Roman wrestling, artistic gymnastics, weightlifting, chess, and boxing). The sample was evenly split, with 45 athletes from each group. Junior athletes were trained at sports schools for children and youth in Ukraine, represented junior teams of professional clubs, and participated in national and international tournaments, achieving success in Ukrainian, European, and World championships. The following descriptive frequency characteristics were recorded by age: M = 17.39; SD = ±3.48; Мe = 17.50. Valid and reliable tools, tested in sports studies on junior samples, were applied to establish the parameters of creativity and motivation. Results. A statistically significant superiority of junior female athletes (Group 1) was found in two parameters of motivation: intrinsic motivation (U = 776.50; p = .049) and social status (U = 774.00; p = .046). No superiority was identified in the parameters of creativity. No statistically significant difference was found between the sample of juniors engaging in team sports (Group I) and the sample of juniors engaging in individual sports (Group II). The use of Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rs) allowed us to establish that the parameters of creativity are low-loaded with motivational intentions, and, correspondingly, juniors’ motivation is low-dependent on creativity. The comparison of two groups of the levels of creativity parameters (Group A and Group B) allowed us to identify a superiority in the parameters “extrinsic positive motivation” and “general activeness”, indicating the focus of creativity on the content component of competitive activity. There is a caveat that “comfort” is the most dependent parameter that can have a negative impact on the content component of competitive activity. Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that the research into the phenomenon and psychological content parameters of creativity in juniors’ motivation structure is a successful attempt to establish psychological correlations and find statistical differences in their motivation. Operationalization of the obtained results is significant in the context of a local competitive situation. It is recommended that the obtained statistical results and algorithms for establishing psychological correlations and finding differences be considered by subjects in sporting activities who work with junior athletes.
CORRELATION BETWEEN ATHLETES’ AGGRESSIVENESS AND PARAMETERS OF SELF-EFFICACY IN HIGH-STRESS COMPETITIVE SITUATIONS
(2024) Popovych, I. S.; Koval, I.; Hoi, N.; Omelianiuk, S.; Lappo, V.; Hoian, I.; Huzar, V.; Попович, І. С.
The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between athletes' aggressiveness and various parameters of self-efficacy during tense competitive situations. The sample consisted of athletes spanning different levels of sporting experience, from juniors to professionals, excluding amateurs and veterans. Participants were involved in International, European, World, and Olympic sports competitions. Their age was between 15 and 32 years. Sample characteristics: n = 120; М = 23.45; SD = ±5.12; Мe = 23.50. Methods: Valid and reliable psychodiagnostic instruments were used to perform a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis. The parameters of self-efficacy examined included self-efficacy in subject activity, self-efficacy in interpersonal communication, motivation for achieving success, and motivation for avoiding failure. Results. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (rxy), ten statistically significant bivariate correlations of aggressiveness characteristics with the parameters of self-efficacy were established (p ≤ .050; p ≤ .010). It was explained that the obtained regularities constitute a poly-determined construct of the complex nature of aggressiveness in the context of sporting activities. It was highlighted that it does not allow stating that self-efficacy is determined by athletes’ aggressiveness. It was found that “direct physical aggressiveness” is the most dependent aggressiveness characteristic – four correlations. It was established that “level of impulsiveness” in sports competitions is the least controlled state and, consequently, the most dangerous one. It was found that groups with low levels of aggressiveness had a statistically significant advantage in all five pairs. Discussion and conclusions. The dual nature of aggressiveness in sports was revealed and constructive or destructive characteristics of the impact on sporting activities were explained. The knowledge of the specificity of athletes’ aggressiveness was deepened. It was generalized that an athlete’s aggressiveness is a highly complex psycho-emotional resource, that requires the formedness of a high level of self-regulation and the ability to manage one’s psycho-emotional state, achieving optimal sports readiness. We recommend that the obtained empirical results should be implemented in educational-training process, tactical and psychological training for athletes.
DISPOSITIONAL DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL TENSION IN FUTURE COACHES
(2025) Halian, I.; Popovych, I.; Mykhailyuk, I.; Halian, A.; Kononenko, A.; Kruglov, K.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
he aim of the study was to examine the level of mental tension experienced by future coaches–athletes and how it is influenced by emotional exhaustion and professional orientation, with a sample size of 100 participants. Methods: The study used validated psycho-diagnostic tools, descriptive statistics, normality tests (Kolmogorov– Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk), regression analysis, effect size measurement (Cohen's d), and statistical significance coefficients. Results: Using the Mann–Whitney test on the Psychological Stress Scale (PSM-25), significant differences in mental tension were found between future coaches of different specializations and genders (p < .01; d = −1.252). Significant differences were identified in occupational burnout components measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Educators Survey (MBI-ES): Emotional exhaustion (p < .01; d = −0.904), depersonalization (p < .01; d = −0.454), and reduced personal accomplishment (p < .01; d = −0.666). Professional orientation was evaluated using the Bass Orientation Inventory, revealing significant effects in personal orientation (p < .01; d = −0.951) and task orientation (p < .01; d = 0.774). Multiple regression analysis was applied to forecast causal relationships between mental tension, emotional exhaustion, and professional orientation in future coaches-athletes of different specializations. Independent variables include the following indicators of the test “MBI-ES”: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (Dp), reduction in personal achievements (RPA), and “Bass Orientation Inventory”: рersonal orientation (PO), task orientation (TO), collectivist orientation (CO). Regression analysis results allowed us to create a model that accounts for a fairly large share of predictors in determining the dependent variable (R2 = .773, p = .001). The predictor “emotional exhaustion” with β = 3.111, SE = .230, t = 13.544, and p = .000 has the largest share in the model. The share of this predictor in the model is 43.6 %. The predictor “task orientation” with β = -3.240, SE = .326, t = -9.948, and p = .000 shows a negative effect on mental tension. The share of this predictor in the model is 23.3%. The predictor “depersonalization” with a negative effect on the variability of the dependent variable (β = -1.252, SE = .338, t = -3.703, p = .000) has the smallest share in the model. The share of this predictor in the model is 3.24%. Discussion and conclusions: It was found that future female coaches-athletes generally demonstrate higher levels of psychological stress, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization compared to boys. At the same time, male coaches-athletes are more prone to reflection and less prone to reduction in personal achievements. Emotional exhaustion is a key predictor of mental tension in coaches-athletes, which is corroborated by regression analysis results. Task orientation and depersonalization are the predictors that negatively affect the variability of the dependent variable. Research into future coaches-athletes’ behavior in extreme situations depending on their personality structure, types of sports, professional experience, and level of sports mastery seems promising.
DISPOSITIONAL MENTAL STATES OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED UNIVERSITY TEACHERS UNDER MARTIAL LAW: GENDER DIFFERENCES
(2023) Popovych, I. S.; Hudimova, A.; Bokhonkova, Yu.; Savchuk, O.; Hoian, I.; Shevchenko, N. F.; Попович, І. С.
Aim. The empirical study of gender differences in the dispositional mental states of university teachers who were internally displaced during martial law. Methods. A combined research strategy was used, integrating the methods for comparing samples of female and male participants. The different types of dispositional mental states of the respondents were identified by the author’s methodology for the study of dominant mental states. Results. It was discovered that the respondents’ psychological content parameters showed statistically significant gender-based differences. Group 1 prevailed in terms of anxiety (U = 855.0; p = .000). Group 2 prevailed in terms of self-control (U = 975.0; p = .001); awareness of events (U = 707.5; p = .000); expected attitude (U = 1074.0; p = .006); expected result (U = 1067.0; p = .006) and psychological wellbeing (U = 1113.5; p = .014). The dispositional mental states of a female sample of internally displaced university teachers were represented by five components with a total variation of Σd = 74.527%. The male sample had four factors with a total variation Σd = 94.442%. It was stated that there were significant differences between the dispositional mental states of female and male teachers in terms of formal characteristics and content loading of components. Conclusions. The scientific value of empirical facts about the dispositional mental states of university teachers who were internally displaced as a result of wartime action is justified. The importance of incorporating the discovered results into scientific and educational processes is emphasised.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN SHAPING JUNIOR ATHLETES’ PRODUCTIVE COPING STRATEGIES
(2026) Popovych, I.; Karpenko, Y.; Matusiak, H.; Dobrovolska, N.; Scolota, E.; Kalenchuk, V.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
Background and purpose The aim is to study the role and function of junior athletes’ emotional intelligence in shaping productive strategies, including self-control, accepting responsibility, problem-solving planning, positive reappraisal, and social support. Material and methods The sample (n = 120) consisted of randomly selected junior male (n = 55; 45.83%) and female (n = 65; 54.17%) athletes with different qualifications, who were educated and trained at the academies of professional clubs and sports schools for children and youth, belonged to the country’s Olympic Reserve, had experience in participating in All-Ukrainian and international sports competitions, and were prize-winners in European and World championships. The respondents’ ages ranged from 15 to 19 years (М = 16.45; SD = ±2.97). Results The profile of emotional self-regulation was designed to control changes in these parameters. Based on the grouping variables of emotional intelligence, differences were found in two productive coping strategies: “self-control” – for the grouping variable “managing emotions” (t = -2.183; p = 0.031; d = -0.401) and “accepting responsibility” – for the grouping variable “self-motivation” (t = 2.382; p = 0.019; d = 0.436). It was substantiated that the parameters of emotional intelligence, “managing emotions” and “self-motivation”, are the most sensitive to shaping productive coping strategies. It was emphasised that the three factors resulting from dimensionality reduction, “self-motivational regulation”, “positive construction”, and “conscious control”, relevantly reflected the psychological content features of emotional self-regulation. Conclusions It was substantiated that research into junior athletes’ emotional intelligence in shaping productive coping strategies is a confirmatory empirical study, which allowed for establishing correlations, identifying significant advantages in productive coping strategies of self-control, accepting responsibility, problem-solving planning, positive reappraisal, and social support based on the grouping variables of emotional intelligence. It was summarised that the established scientific facts complement the theoretical knowledge of the formation of emotional self-regulation, the development of the emotional and volitional sphere, and the construction of worldviews in junior sports representatives.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE STRUCTURE OF SELF-CONTROL AMONG JUNIOR ATHLETES
(2025) Popovych, I. S.; Danko, D.; Yakovleva, S.; Haponenko, L.; Shcherbyna, O.; Kryzhanovskyi, O.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
The aim of this study is to empirically investigate and theoretically substantiate the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) within the self-control structure of junior athletes. Methods: The sample consisted of 184 junior athletes from both team sports (football and handball) and individual sports (track and field, artistic gymnastics, freestyle wrestling, weightlifting, and boxing). These athletes were students at sports schools for children and youth and were part of professional football and handball clubs competing in the national championship. The descriptive frequency characteristics of the respondents’ ages are as follows: М = 16.96; SD = ±3.37; Мe = 17.00. The parameters of emotional intelligence, volitional control, and subjective control were assessed using psycho-diagnostic tools that were valid, reliable, and specifically adapted for sports samples. Results: The empirical data followed a normal distribution, allowing the use of Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) to identify fourteen direct correlations and two inverse correlations (p ≤ .050; p ≤ .010; p = .000). It was found that the most dependent parameter of emotional intelligence was “self-control and self-regulation of emotions”, which showed the highest number of correlations (seven) and the strongest associations at significant levels (p ≤ .001; p = .000). The profile of junior athletes’ overall self-control enabled a visual comparison of the key dimensions of self-control. It was explained that the technical component, latent mental resources, and psychological literacy give juniors an advantage at the final stage when all the strong and equal athletes have reached the final competitions. There is a caveat that demonstrating a high level of perseverance does not allow respondents to consider others’ emotions, i. e. the desire to win at any cost blocks the defense mechanisms of emotional intelligence. This is a dangerous and uncontrolled state that borders on the affective state and can have detrimental consequences for junior athletes. Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that the research into emotional intelligence in the structure of junior athletes’ volitional control is a successful attempt to establish correlations between the parameters of the examined phenomena applying relevant psycho-diagnostic methodologies, sensitive to critical periods in the formation of a junior athlete’s personality, the development of worldviews, and age-related patterns of psychophysiological processes. There was a caveat that low values of the parameter “self-control of an athlete’s health and disease” can pose a latent danger, especially in team sports, where the absence of key players can have a considerable impact on the tactical organization of the game. It is recommended that the established scientific facts about the dimensions of EQ and the parameters of volitional control be implemented in work with juniors in all learning, training, competitive, and rehabilitative activities.
JUNIOR ATHLETES' BEHAVIORAL SELF-REGULATION STYLES WITHIN THE DIMENSIONS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN THE LEARNING AND TRAINING ENVIRONMENT.
(2025) Popovych, I.; Hoi, N.; Hrys, A.; Yurkiv, Y.; Radul, S.; Pavliuk, M.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
This study analyzes the prominence of dominant behavioral self-regulation styles among junior athletes within the context of psychological safety in their learning and training environment. Methods. The randomly selected sample was representative of the general population and consisted only of junior athletes attending Olympic Reserve sports schools for children and youth, totaling 89 participants. These junior athletes, aged 14– 19, were educated and trained full-time at sports institutions in Ukraine. Participants included athletes from team sports (handball and football) as well as individual sports (rhythmic gymnastics, freestyle wrestling, artistic gymnastics, and weightlifting). The research participants were prize-winners and winners of regional, national, and European championships and regularly competed in Ukrainian and international tournaments. The parameters of the main variables (self-regulation styles and psychological safety of the learning and training environments) and the additional variable (internality in sports activities) were determined using valid, representative, and reliable methodologies. Results. Fifteen direct correlations between the studied variables were established. It was empirically proved that the self-regulation style, “modeling”, and the parameter of psychological safety, “comfort”, are the most dependent and loaded parameters. It was substantiated that creating behavioral models in the constructive and safe learning and training space is an effective way for junior athletes’ professional growth. It was found that the three self-regulation styles (planning, modeling, and programing), in combination with pronounced independence and high levels of comfort and social-psychological safety, constitute a latent resource of the optimal learning and training environment. It was established that a high level of comfort in the learning and training environment contributes to developing the self-regulation styles – “programming” and “modeling”. Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that the research into junior athletes’ behavioral self-regulation styles in the dimensions of psychological safety of the learning and training environment means determining the levels of self-regulatory readiness for relevant activities under the influence of safety factors combined in the continuum “satisfaction–harmony–comfort”. It was explained that the dominant styles of junior athletes’ self-regulation reflect juniors’ managerial ability to regulate their psycho- emotional states, exerting influence on themselves through self-discipline, self-hypnosis, imaginary images, auto-training technologies, muscle tone management, and breathing techniques. The established psychological correlations and the identified significant differences in the levels of the studied parameters possess scientific novelty. They can be implemented in the learning and training process at sports educational institutions.
OPERATIONALIZATION OF PHYSICAL WORK ABILITY OF YOUNG ATHLETES IN TERMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
(2023) Popovych, I. S.; Shevchenko, N. F.; Raievska, Ya.; Myshchyshyn, M.; Hoian, I.; Yakovleva, S. D.; Los, O.; Попович, І. С.
Purpose of the empirical research is to operationalize physical work ability of young athletes in the dimensions of psychological well-being. The research participants comprise Group 1 – male and female athletes in team sports (n=46; 52.87%): football and handball, and Group 2 – male and female athletes in individual sports (n=41; 47.13%): rhythmic gymnastics and boxing. Methods: the questionnaire “The Scales of psychological wellbeing” (“SPW”) (Ryff, 1989; adapted by N. Lepeshinsky, 2007); Ruffier’s Index (RI) was determined by the author’s trial – J. Ruffier (1951), adapted by S. Vozniy and I. Malyarenko (2020); the questionnaire “Мotivation for achieving success” (“MAS”) T. Elers (2002). Results. It was established that junior athletes in team sports (Group 1) have a statistically significant advantage by two dimensions: positive relations (PR) (U=566.00; p=.001) and environment management (EM) (U=598.00; p=.003). A statistically significant advantage of junior athletes in individual sports was registered by four parameters (Group 2): self-acceptance (SA) (U=378.00; p=.000), personal growth (PG) (U=393.00; p=.000), Ruffier’s Index (RI) (U=612.00; p=.005) and motivation for achieving success (MAS) (U=562.00; p=.001). We identified four statistically significant correlations by (р≤.01) Ruffier’s Index in Group 1 with the following parameters: motivation for achieving success, psychological wellbeing, purpose in life, positive relations; three statistically significant correlations (р≤.05; р≤.01) in Group 2: motivation for achieving success, positive relations and autonomous position. It was found that the respondents with a high level of physical work ability (Group I) have an advantage by the parameters PWB (U=651.500; p=.021) and MAS (U=46.500; p=.000). Conclusions. The research focuses on permanent orientation of the representatives of individual sports (Group 2) towards internalized personal development that makes them strongly dissatisfied with their personal achievements and high indexes of physical work ability do not result in psychological well-being (rs=.182; p>.05). The study highlights that a high level of physical work ability of young athletes (Group I) is accompanied by high indexes of motivation for achieving success and psychological well-being. It was generalized that operationalization of physical work ability in the dimensions of psychological well-being allowed discovering a number of important scientific facts which should be introduced into educational and training process of juniors.
PRE-COMPETITION EXPECTATION PROFILES AMONG JUNIOR ATHLETES IN THE CONTEXT OF ALTERED SPORTING CONDITIONS
(2023) Popovych, I. S.; Kosmii, M.; Hrys, A.; Hoi, N.; Dyhun, I.; Hoian, I.; Nosov, P.; Попович, І. С.
The primary aim of this research was to empirically examine and substantiate the of various pre-competition expectations exhibited by junior athletes, particularly in light of altering conditions within a sporting contest.The study involved a cohort of adolescents (n=267) (Мe=16; М=16.32; SD=±1.71). The participants were representatives of team sports such as football and volleyball, as well as individual sports such as artistic gymnastics and track and field. The empirical investigation focused on junior athletes enrolled in an educational training course at two sports schools: “LSSCY Enerhetyk” in Lviv, Ukraine and “SSSYOR №1” in Ivano- Frankivsk, Ukraine. Methods. Psychodiagnostic tools were employed to gauge the content parameters of both expectations and the concept of a safe competition space. Standard coefficients were applied to discern statistically significant correlations within the collected data. The categorization of pre-competition expectations was accomplished through the application of k-means clustering. Results. This research established statistically significant correlations cognitive, emotional and behavioral components of psychological safety and expectation parameters underscoring the pivotal influence of both the competition space and pre-competition expectations on actual competitive performance. The delineation of five distinct precompetition expectation types emerged: real (RTE), active analytical (AATE), moderate (MTE), passive moderate (PMTE) and unreal (UTE). The findings provided robust evidence supporting that RTE, AATE and MTE constitute favorable expectation types, contributing positively to desired outcomes. In contrast, PMTE and UTE were identified as negative types, exhibiting a detrimental impact on achieving desirable results. Notably, the study demonstrated and substantiated the heightened risk associated with PMTE establishing it as the most perilous type of expectation for athletes engaged in competitive activities. Discussion and conclusions. This study revealed a significant negative correlation, particularly the cognitive component of psychological safety (CC), with expected status (ESA). This finding underscores the increased risk associated with this psychological configuration because it promotes a closed convergent position with subsequent distancing. Such a psychological state, coupled with a diminished awareness of competition activity (ACA), consistently leads to tactical errors in both offensive and defensive actions among athletes. These errors, in turn, disrupt team interaction and hinder the execution of a game plan. It was generalized that the identified precompetition expectation types among junior athletes, especially under altering sporting conditions, carry a distinctive scientific novelty. Moreover, these findings can be practically operationalized in the realm of educational training preparation.
PROPENSITY FOR ADVENTUROUSNESS IN THE MOTIVATIONAL STRUCTURE OF JUNIOR ATHLETES
(2024) Popovych, I. S.; Kolly-Shamne, A.; Piletska, L.; Soroka, O.; Hoian, I.; Yaremchuk, V.; Huzar, V.; Попович, І. С.
This study aims to establish statistical correlations between the propensity for adventurousness and components of junior athletes' motivational structures. Methods: The sample consisted of juniors actively involved in competitive, training, and rehabilitative sports, regularly participating in competitions ranging from regional to international levels, including European, World, and Olympic events. The sample includes an equal number of male (n = 65; 50.00%) and female (n = 65; 50.00%) participants, as well as an equal representation from team sports (n = 65; 50.00%) and individual sports (n = 65; 50.00%), randomly selected. The size of the total sample was: n = 130 respondents aged from 17 to 19 years. The following descriptive characteristics were obtained: М = 18.38; SD = ±3.08; Мe = 18.50. The applied psycho-diagnostic tools tested in numerous studies on sports psychology, on junior samples are valid, reliable and representative. Results: Twenty-one statistically significant correlations of the parameters of propensity for adventurousness with motives for engaging in sports and thirty- four correlations with motives for achieving a sports result (p ≤ .050; p ≤ .010; p ≤ .001) were established using Spearman’s coefficient (rs). It was found that the parameters of propensity for adventurousness “emotional- motivational indicator of adventurousness” and “energy indicator of adventurousness” are the most dependent ones. It was explained by the fact that these components in junior athletes are a powerful mental resource which should be supported, developed and directed at volitional self-regulation. An algorithm for creating a profile of propensity for adventurousness was proposed. Discussion and conclusions: Comparison of the researched groups with a high level (Group 1) and a low level (Group 2) of propensity for adventurousness allowed summarizing that the athletes with a high level are guided by the desire for new sensations accompanied by adrenaline rush, frequent changes goals during sports competitions and by an immense desire for social self- affirmation. The athletes with a low level strive to improve sports skills, work on a procedural component accompanied by control, volitional efforts and self-regulation of sports behavior. It is recommended that the obtained results should be taken into consideration by coaches, psychologists and managers of sports institutions working with junior athletes.
PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES OF FATIGUE OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS
(2023) Shcherbak, T.; Popovych, I. S.; Kariyev, A.; Duisenbayeva, A.; Huzar, V.; Hoian, I.; Kyrychenko, K.; Попович, І. С.
The purpose of the research is to find out empirically and theoretically substantiate the psychological causes of football players’ fatigue. Methods. The ascertaining strategy of research and ranking of parameters has been applied. Valid and reliable psychodiagnostic methods have been used to measure parameters of professional maladjustment, self-assessment of psychophysiological state, differentiated assessment of performance, and the level of football players’ emotional burnout. Results. It was found that the high level of football player’s fatigue from the training-competitive cycle has been caused by a decrease in the efficiency of their psycho-functional systems: emotional changes (R=.920); a decrease in general activity (R=.810); a decrease in motivation to activity (R=.824); features of certain mental processes (R=.549); features of social interaction (R=.891). It has been shown that with a decrease in the indicators of the psychophysiological state, the feeling of fatigue increases: well-being (R=-.812); activity (R=-.840). As well as in relation to motivational factors of the appearance of fatigue: interest in sports (R=-.869); willingness to perform tasks (R=-.816). A statistically reliable inverse relationship has been established between all indicators of the psychophysiological state and predictors of fatigue: monotony, oversaturation, stress. It has been empirically established and explained that the drop in the level of football players’ performance, as a result of fatigue, can be caused by external negative influences: experiencing psycho-traumatic circumstances (R=.924); “being cornered” (R=.896); a desire to curtail professional activity: reduction of professional duties (R=.936); changes in team’s psychological climate: personal alienation (R=.924); changes in the emotional sphere: anxiety and depression (R=.882); inadequate selective emotional response (R=.867); emotional moral disorientation (R=.904); expansion of the sphere of emotional economy (R=.918); emotional deficit (R=.870); emotional alienation (R=.896). Discussion and conclusions. It has been summarized that football players with pronounced parameters of fatigue are much more often characterized by a deterioration in well-being, namely changes in the emotional sphere, a decrease in general activity and course of mental processes. At the same time, they are characterized by separate somatic vegetative disorders in sleep, peculiarities in social relations. In sports activities, they demonstrate reduced motivation and, accordingly, the lack of interest and motivation provokes a feeling of fatigue. It has been empirically found that the respondent football players with a pronounced feeling of fatigue demonstrate a high level of desire to stop their training and competition activities. These football players feel bored with monotonous, same-type activities and seek to change activity or diversify it.
RE-ADAPTATION OF JUNIOR ATHLETES TO COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY AFTER A FORCED BREAK
(2024) Popovych, I. S.; Burlakova, I.; Omelianiuk, S.; Kornienko, V.; Kondes, T.; Kharytonova, N.; Zavatska, N.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
This study aims to perform a theoretical and empirical analysis to identify psychological factors, establish key correlations, and determine the differences in junior athletes’ re-adaptation to competitive activity after a forced break. Methods: The research involved 36 junior athletes from both individual and team sports, representing sports schools for children and youth – “LSSCY Enerhetyk” (Lviv, Ukraine), “SSSYOR №1” (Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine), and junior academies of professional football and handball clubs from Kherson and Mykolaiv. A forced break in competitive activity was the primary criterion for participant selection. Valid and reliable psycho-diagnostic tools, previously tested in sports studies, were employed. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the re-adaptive capacity parameters across the examined junior samples. An algorithm for creating a profile to assess junior athletes’ ability to re-adapt is proposed. It considerably simplifies the management of recovery process and is capable of increasing the accuracy of planning competitive activities. It was established that the following parameters are the most dependent parameters of re-adaptation (three correlations for each): “adaptability”, “acceptance of others” and “internality”. The most dependent coping strategies (five correlations for each) are as follows: “problem-solving planning” and “escape–avoidance”. It was explained that the strongest direct correlation of “internality” with the coping strategy “problem-solving planning” (rs = .549; p <.001) testifies that the efforts made by the re-adapting individual have the greatest re- adapting effect. It was found that the opposite effect is in the correlation between “emotional comfort” and the coping strategy “escape–avoidance” (rs = -.525; p = .001) which is the most undesirable combination at the stage of re-adaptation. Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that juniors’ re-adaptation to competitive activity after a forced break is the return of athletes to active training and competitive processes in order to resume a sporting career. It was noted that the comparison of two groups with low and high levels of the parameters of re-adaptation confirmed that adaptive capacity and internal orientation towards problem-solving is the most effective combination of juniors’ competences at the stage of re-adaptation to competitive activity after a forced break. It was summarized that re-adaptation is an important scientific problem in research into sporting activities which requires empirical study and implementation of effective practices in sporting activities
REGRESSION MODELS OF COACHES' COPING BEHAVIORS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES
(2026) Popovych, I.; Halian, I.; Halian, O.; Yakymchuk, B.; Hotsuliak, N.; Radul, S.; Slot, M.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
The aim of this study was to examine regression models of coaches' coping behaviors under adverse conditions of sports activities. Меthods: The study involved randomly selected coaches (n = 100) who were engaged in sports activities and pursuing a degree. Valid psychodiagnostic instruments and standardized statistical coefficients were used for data analysis. Results: A petal diagram illustrating the coping profiles of coaches with varying levels of mental strain was created. It showed that "Confrontive coping," "Distancing," "Selfcontrolling," "Seeking social support," "Escape-avoidance," and "Planful problem-solving" differed significantly among the groups with different levels of mental strain (g1, g2, g3; p < .050). No significant differences were found for "Accepting responsibility" and "Positive reappraisal" (p ≥ .050). Coaches with a low level of mental strain tend to employ the coping strategies "Planful problem-solving" and "Accepting responsibility". The shares of these predictors in the model are 34.7% (R2 = .346) and 32.7% (R2 = .327), respectively. The share of "Positive reappraisal" in the regression model for coaches with a medium level of mental strain is 79.9% (R2 = .799), and that of "Seeking social support" is 36.7% (R2 = .366). The share of “Distancing” in the model is relatively small – 3.31% (R2 = .033). Coaches with a high level of mental strain tend to employ the coping strategy “Accepting responsibility”. The share of this predictor in the model is 49.5% (R2 = .495). Discussion and conclusions. Multiple regression analysis was utilised to identify coping strategies most closely associated with the level of mental strain. The impact of coping strategies on mental strain varies considerably depending on its level. Problem-focused strategies are effective for coaches with a low level of mental strain. However, accepting too much responsibility can cause additional strain. The coping strategy "Planful problem-solving" is associated with lower mental strain, and "Accepting responsibility" raises it. Emotion-focused strategies (reappraisal and distancing) are less effective for coaches with medium mental strain, whereas social support is a leading defence resource. In high-pressure situations, personal responsibility can be transformed into excessive internal pressure, self-criticism, and self-dissatisfaction, which intensifies stress. The lack of protective factors in the model indicates depleted resources or ineffective coping strategies. Coaches with low and medium levels of mental strain employ adaptive strategies, maintaining an optimal level of resource mobilisation. Respondents with a high level of mental strain commonly employ maladaptive strategies, which is a reason for special work aimed at developing stress resistance and flexible coping mechanisms in coaches.
REGRESSION MODELS OF CREATIVE THINKING IN YOUNG ATHLETES UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS OF SPORTS ACTIVITY: A GENDER PERSPECTIVE.
(2026) Popovych, I. S.; Halian, I.; Falko, N.; Komar, T.; Hotsuliak, N.; Omelianiuk, S.; Zahrai, L.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
The aim of the study is to examine regression models of creative thinking in young athletes under challenging conditions of sports activity. Methods: The total study sample comprised 100 young athletes. The sample was heterogeneous, including 37 male athletes and 63 female athletes aged 16–23 who intend to connect their lives with professional sports. A valid and reliable psychodiagnostic toolkit was used: the "Bem Sex-Role Inventory" (Bem, 1974), the "Creativity Test" (Vishnyakova & Tkach, 1998), the modified version of the "Creativity Assessment Packet" methodology (Williams, 1980), used as the "Creative Characteristics Subtest-Questionnaire" (Belska et al., 2021), as well as standard coefficients and statistical analysis procedures. Results: Multiple regression analysis was performed using the stepwise introduction of independent variables. It resulted in four models, with each subsequent model being an improved version of the previous model. The most complete fourth model combined creative thinking (the Real Self), a creative attitude towards the profession (the Real Self), creative thinking (the Ideal Self), and a creative attitude towards the profession (the Ideal Self). The Kruskal-Wallis H-Test was used to diagnose statistically significant differences for the variable “personal inclination toward creative behaviour” (PICB) in respondents with masculine, feminine, and androgynous identities. Feminine young female athletes were found to demonstrate above-medium, high, and very high levels of a personal inclination toward creative behaviour. Masculine young male athletes were diagnosed with medium and below-medium levels of the PICB. Androgynous young female athletes and young male athletes reported medium levels of the PICB. Discussion and Conclusions. It was empirically clarified and explained that gender identity as a component of the athlete’s self-consciousness structure, as part of their “Self-concept”, is a consequence of the self-determination of a young person in their relationships with the social environment, a specific sports group, or a competitive situation.
RESEARCH ON HUBRISTIC MOTIVATION AND JUNIORS’ SELF-EFFICACY IN ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXTS
(2024) Omelianiuk, S.; Popovych, I. S.; Domina, H.; Sedykh, K.; Hoian, I.; Kovalchuk, Z.; Petraniuk, A.; Попович, І. С.
This study aims to explore and substantiate correlations between hubristic motivation and parameters such as subject activity, interpersonal communication, and the drive to achieve sports results among juniors. Methods: Valid and reliable tools previously tested in sports studies involving junior samples were employed. Standard statistical coefficients were used to establish significant correlations and identify differences. Results: Hubristic motivation among juniors was examined through two dimensions—desire for perfection (DP) and desire for superiority (DS)—highlighting their impact on juniors' self-efficacy, characterized by maximalist tendencies and confidence in achieving competitive success, influencing both formal and content aspects of sporting activities. A statistical advantage of juniors in team sports (Group 1) by the parameter “desire for perfection” and the advantage of juniors in individual sports (Group 2) by the parameter “desire for superiority” were established. It was explained that team educational-training work, learning technical schemes and practicing them in training make athletes concentrate on improving their technique and constantly ascertain that a sports result depends on well-coordinated team work. Accordingly, individual sports work can take much time to analyze and compare oneself with real or probable competitors, therefore, the desire for superiority rationally and intuitively becomes dominant. It was stated that the correlation between the desire for perfection and subject activity is the strongest one. It is logical that improvement of one’s mastery is a direct way to self-efficacy and a victory result. It was established that there was no correlation between the desire for perfection and the parameter of self-efficacy “interpersonal communication”. Discussion and conclusions: It was explained that efficacy facilitates friendly and warm relationships in communication and can lower requirements for oneself and teammates in practicing tactical schemes in training. It was summarized that hubristic motivation as a dichotomous unity of the desire for perfection and the desire for superiority is one of important psychological mechanisms of the formation of a junior athlete’s personality and organization of a junior’s motivation structure.
SPECIFICITY OF DECISION-MAKING IN JUNIOR ATHLETES WITH SIGNS OF MIXED ANXIETY-DEPRESSIVE DISORDER.
(2026) Popovych, I. S.; Kurova, A.; Shevchenko, N.; Charkina, O.; Yesmakhanova, A.; Haponenko, L.; Kolly-Shamne, A.; Kagramanian, M.; Hoian, I.; Попович, І. С.
Background and purpose The aim is to study psychological content features of decision-making in junior athletes with signs of mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MADD). Material and methods The research participants were students of sports schools for children and youth located in Ukraine’s regional centres. The survey involved junior athletes aged 15 to 19 who attended schools and regularly trained, with a total of n = 112 individuals representing teams U-15, U-17, and U-19. They had participated in and won sports competitions of different levels. The research employed valid and reliable psychodiagnostic tools tested across numerous sports samples. Results MADD signs were diagnosed in n = 21 (18.75%) respondents in the total sample. Two petal diagrams visualising the decision-making profiles of juniors with and without MADD signs were created. The combined matrix of correlations between decision-making parameters and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder demonstrated completely different trajectories of significant correlations and loadings of the key studied parameters. The productive coping strategy “vigilance” (three correlations) and the unproductive coping strategy “avoidance” (two correlations) were found to be the most dependent decision-making parameters, which are excessively sensitive to the signs of anxiety and depressiveness. The inverse correlations with the productive coping strategy “vigilance” demonstrated the critical importance of vigilance for junior athletes. No significant difference was found in the studied groups for the grouping variable “gender differentiation”. For the grouping variable “mixed anxiety-depressive disorder”, superiority of athletes with MADD signs was found in the non-productive coping strategy “avoidance”. Conclusions It was substantiated that mixed anxiety-depressive disorder signs can alternate, become more pronounced, and cause considerable discomfort, which is occasionally accompanied by body aches and gastrointestinal problems, which reduces the quality of life and is transformed into the coping strategy of decision avoidance. The study proposes measures for operationalising negative manifestations of anxiety caused by the dominant “avoidance” strategy by means of the diagnostic and corrective program for overcoming anxiety. It was recommended that the established scientific facts and significant differences should be integrated into professional training for teachers-coaches at sports schools for children and youth. Обґрунтування і мета Метою є дослідження психологічних змістових особливостей ухвалення рішень юними атлетами з ознаками тривожно- депресивного розладу (ТДР). Матеріал і методи Учасниками дослідження є вихованці дитячо-юнацьких спортивних шкіл, які розташовані в обласних центрах України. У опитуванні добровільно взяли участь юні спортсмени віком від 15 до 19 років, які навчалися і системно тренувалися, загальною кількістю n = 112 атлетів, що представляли команди U-15, U-17, U-19, були учасниками і переможцями різного рівня спортивних форумів. Застосовано валідний і надійний психодіагностичний інструментарій, який пройшов апробацію на численних спортивних вибірках. Результати Ідентифіковано ознаки ТДР у n = 21 (18.75%) досліджуваного загальної вибіркової сукупності. Побудовано дві пелюсткові діаграми профілів ухвалення рішень юніорів з ознаками і без ознак ТДР. Подано об’єднану кореляційну матрицю зв’язків параметрів ухвалення рішення з тривожністю та депресивністю, які продемонстрували абсолютно відмінну траєкторію достовірних зв’язків й навантажень ключових досліджуваних параметрів. Найбільш залежними параметрами ухвалення рішень є продуктивний копінг “пильність” (три зв’язки) і непродуктивний копінг “уникання” (два зв’язки), який є надмірно чутливими до проявів тривожності і депресивності. Обернені зв’язки з продуктивним копінгом “пильність” продемонстрували надмірну важливість сформованої властивості “пильність” у юних атлетів. За групуючою змінною “Статеве диференціювання” достовірних відмінностей у досліджуваних групах не зафіксовано. За групуючою змінною “Тривожно-депресивний розлад” встановлено перевагу атлетів з ознаками ТДР за непродуктивним копінгом “уникання”. Висновки Обґрунтовано, що ознаки тривожно-депресивного розладу можуть чергуватися, набувати вираженості, викликати значний дискомфорт, який почасти супроводжується тілесними больовими відчуттями, проблемами кишково-шлункового тракту, що позначається на зниженні якості життя і трансформується у копінг-стратегію уникання ухвалення рішення. Запропоновано заходи операціоналізації негативних проявів тривоги, зумовлених домінуючою стратегією “уникання”, засобами програми діагностично-корекційного подолання тривоги. Рекомендовано з’ясовані наукові факти та достовірні відмінності інтегрувати у професійну підготовку тренерів-викладачів дитячо-юнацьких спортивних шкіл.