DOMINANT MENTAL STATES IN JUNIORS’ COPING BEHAVIOR

Abstract

This study aims to identify the psychological correlations of defensive behavior and develop a factor structure of dominant mental states related to coping behavior in junior athletes. Methods: The sample included junior athletes aged 15–19 (M = 17.23; SD = ±3.43), participating in All-Ukrainian, European, and World championships (n = 119). Two validated psycho-diagnostic tools, previously tested on Ukrainian populations, were used to accurately capture the key research variables. Theoretical methods included retrospective analysis, generalization, comparative analysis, and interpretation. Empirical methods involved targeted observation and testing. Factorial ANOVA was applied to reduce the proportionality among research variables. Standard statistical procedures were also performed. Results: The methodological foundations were based on the concept of the athlete's personality as an open and dynamic system, taking into account psychophysiological and age- related growth patterns. The strongest direct correlation was found between “planning” and “emotional stability” (R = .841; p < .001), while the strongest inverse correlation was between “refusal” and “emotional stability” (R = –.838; p < .001). It was summarized that emotional stability is the most loaded and actualized characteristic in the research conditions. The factor structure of dominant mental states of junior athletes’ coping behavior was created. Eight factors were established (Σd = 86.293%): F1 “Self-blame coping behavior”, F2 “Sensitive coping behavior”, F3 “Dependent coping behavior”, F4 “Conscious coping behavior”, F5 “Tense coping behavior”, F6 “Confident coping behavior”, F7 “Safe coping behavior”, and F8 “Dreamy coping behavior”. It was summarized that diagnosing and interpreting dominant mental states of junior athletes’ coping behavior gave us a deeper insight into junior athletes’ psychology in crisis and extreme situations of life activities. Discussion and conclusions: It was empirically established and theoretically substantiated that dominant mental states of junior athletes’ coping behavior are active strategies of defensive behavior in critical situations of sporting activities. It was underscored that dominant mental states of coping behavior reflect the prevalent type of behavior in combination with the most pronounced personality traits that are actualized in the dimensions of defensive behavior. The research findings should be operationalized in the activities of sports subjects working in junior sports.