Abstract:
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.
Description:
Popovych, I., Danko, D., Yakovleva, S., Haponenko, L., Shcherbyna, O., Kryzhanovskyi, O., & Hoian, I. (2025). Emotional intelligence in the structure of self-control among junior athletes. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 25(2), 241–250. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2025.02027.