Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and coping strategies among 132 junior
athletes during extreme competitive situations. Methods: Valid psychodiagnostic methodologies were
employed, along with descriptive statistics, normality tests (Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk),
regression analysis, and statistical significance coefficients. Results: The study revealed a significant
relationship between emotional intelligence and coping strategies in extreme competitive environments. Results
highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence as a key factor in understanding and managing both
personal and others’ emotions, contributing to psychological well-being. Junior athletes demonstrated moderate
levels of interpersonal abilities, specifically in empathy (M = 9.23 ± .494; SD = 5.681) and understanding others’
emotions (M = 8.10 ± .561; SD = 6.449). Junior athletes’ intrapsychic skills are at a low level (“emotional
awareness” (М = 10.32 ± .489; SD = 5.322); “self-motivation” (М = 5.95 ± .621; SD = 7.133); and “managing
emotions” (М = 1.76 ± .705; SD = 8.097). Differences in the manifestation of junior athletes’ emotional
intelligence were identified by gender. In particular, statistically significant differences were found on the
following scales of emotional intelligence: “emotional awareness” (t = -1,95; p = .049; d = -.570), “managing
emotions” (t = 2.392; p = .018; d = .699), and “empathy” (t = -2.356; p = .02; d = -.688). The preference for
problem-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping in choosing the method for dealing with extreme
situations was found. A regression model (F = 43.581; p = 000) for problem-oriented coping which accounts for
more than 50.00% of the data variance (R2 = .505; p = .005) was determined. The model included such
predictors as “recognizing others’ emotions” (β = .296; t = 3.463; p = .001), “self-motivation” (β = .306;
t = 3.696; p = .000), and “emotional awareness” (β = .230; t = 2.845; p = .005). Statistically significant
differences between junior female and male athletes were identified by “emotion-oriented coping” (t = -2.644;
p = .009; d = -.772). Discussion and conclusions: The decisive role of the predictor “recognizing others’
emotions” in using “problem-oriented coping” was observed. “Self-motivation” and “emotional awareness”
accompany this predictor. Research into the impact of regulatory characteristics of the individual as a factor of
the effectiveness of coping strategies for managing stress in uncertain and difficult situations is deemed
promising.
Description:
Halian, I., Popovych, I., Charkina, O., Halian, A., Danko, D., Zaverukha, O., Haponenko, L., & Kryzhanovskyi, O. (2024). Relationship between emotional intelligence and coping strategies in junior athletes’ behavior during extreme competitive situations. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 24(11), 1518–1527. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2024.11278.