The relationship between trait anger, psychological maladjustment, psychological resilience and loneliness levels of athletes and physical inactive individuals

Emirhan Kan; Murat Ozan

doi:10.15561/20755279.2025.0101

Authors

Emirhan Kan Ataturk University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5569-7624
Murat Ozan Ataturk University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3818-4637

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2025.0101

Keywords:

sports, Sports, psychological resilience, psychological maladjustment, loneliness, anger, psychological maladjustment, loneliness, anger

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Trait anger, psychological maladjustment, resilience, and loneliness are crucial aspects influencing mental health in both athletes and physically inactive individuals. Exploring these factors provides valuable insights into their psychological well-being. The study aims to investigate the relationship between trait anger, psychological maladjustment, psychological resilience, and loneliness among athletes and physically inactive individuals, with a particular focus on the predictive role of psychological resilience in these relationships. Material and Methods. The sample consisted of 793 individuals divided into three groups. These included 176 participants selected randomly, 120 team athletes, and 497 sedentary individuals. Data collection involved the following tools: the Demographic Information Form, the Trait Anger and Anger Expression Style Scale, the Psychological Maladjustment Scale, the Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Loneliness Scale. Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were calculated to assess the reliability of the scales. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between loneliness, psychological resilience, anger traits, anger expression styles, and levels of depression, stress, and anxiety. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 24. Results. For combat athletes, outward anger, anger control, and stress significantly predicted psychological resilience (R = .653, F = 15.557, p < .05), explaining 43% of the variance. Among team athletes, anger control emerged as a significant predictor (R = .605, F = 7.784, p < .05), accounting for 37% of the variance. For physically inactive individuals, outward anger, anger control, anxiety, and stress predicted psychological resilience (R = .545, F = 25.768, p < .05), explaining 30% of the variance. Across all groups, the key predictors were anxiety (β = -.219, p < .05), stress (β = -.190, p < .05), anger control (β = .196, p < .05), and outward anger (β = .189, p < .05). Conclusions. Targeted interventions focused on anger control and stress reduction can effectively enhance psychological resilience. These strategies may support both athletes and physically inactive individuals in managing psychological maladjustment and reducing loneliness.

Author Biographies

Emirhan Kan, Ataturk University

emirhankan@atauni.edu.tr; Department of Physical Education and Sports; Erzurum, Turkey.

Murat Ozan, Ataturk University

Assistant Professor; murat.ozan@atauni.edu.tr; Department of Physical Education and Sports; Erzurum, Turkey.

References

Janssen SA, Spinhoven P, Brosschot JF. Experimentally induced anger, cardiovascular reactivity, and pain sensitivity. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2001;51(3): 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(01)00222-7

Mowlaie M, Besharat MA, Pourbohlool S, Azizi L. The Mediation Effects of Self-Confidence and Sport Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between Dimensions of Anger and Anger Control with Sport Performance. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2011;30: 138–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.10.027

Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Baker M, Harris T, Stephenson D. Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2015;10(2): 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352

Çeçen AR. Öğrencilerinin cinsiyetlerine ve anababa tutum algilarina göre yalnızlık ve sosyal destek düzeylerinin incelenmesi [Examination of loneliness and social support levels of students according to their gender and parental attitude perceptions]. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi. 2008;6(3):415–31. (In Turkish).

Seçer İ. Üniversite öğrencilerinde okul tükenmişliği ile psikolojik uyumsuzluk arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Examining the relationship between school burnout and psychological maladjustment in university students]. Atatürk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2015;19(1):81–99. (In Turkish).

VandenBos GR. APA dictionary of psychology. American Psychological Association; 2007.

Earvolino-Ramirez M. Resilience: A Concept Analysis. Nursing Forum, 2007;42(2): 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6198.2007.00070.x

Christensen LB, Johnson B, Turner LA. Research methods, design, and analysis. Global Edition. 2014.

Karasar N. Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi: kavramlar, ilkeler, teknikler [Scientific research method: concepts, principles, techniques]. Ankara: Nobel Publishing Distribution; 2023. (In Turkish).

Spielberger CD. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1037/t06496-000

Özer AK. Sürekli Öfke ve Öfke İfade Tarzı ölçekleri ön çalışması [Preliminary study of Trait Anger and Anger Expression Style scales]. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 1994;3(1):26–35. (In Turkish).

Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1995;33(3): 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U

Akın A, Çetin B. Depresyon anksiyete stres ölçeği (DASÖ): Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [Depression anxiety stress scale (DAS): A validity and reliability study]; 2007. (In Turkish).

Smith BW, Dalen J, Wiggins K, Tooley E, Christopher P, Bernard J. The brief resilience scale: Assessing the ability to bounce back. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2008;15(3): 194–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705500802222972

Doğan T. Kısa psikolojik sağlamlık ölçeği’nin Türkçe uyarlaması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [Turkish adaptation of the brief psychological resilience scale: A validity and reliability study]. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 2015;3(1): 93–102. (In Turkish).

Russell D, Peplau LA, Ferguson ML. Developing a Measure of Loneliness. Journal of Personality Assessment, 1978;42(3): 290–294. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4203_11

Demir A. UCLA Yalnızlık ölçeğinin geçerlik ve güvenirliği [Validity and reliability of the loneliness scale]. Psikol Derg. 1989;7(23):14–8. (In Turkish).

George D, Mallery P. SPSS for Windows step by step: A simple guide and reference. 11.0 update. 4th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon; 2003.

Hair JF, Black WC, Babin BJ, Anderson RE. Multivariate data analysis. 7th ed. Harlow: Pearson; 2014.

Şencan H. Güvenilirlik ve geçerlilik [Reliability and validity].Hüner Şencan; 2005. (In Turkish).

Büyüköztürk Ş, Kılıç Çakmak E, Erkan Akgün Ö, Karadeniz Ş, Demirel F. Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri [Scientific research methods]. 23rd ed. Ankara: Pegem Academy Publishing; 2017. (In Turkish). https://doi.org/10.14527/9789944919289

Hawkley LC, Cacioppo JT. Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2010;40(2): 218–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8

Spielberger CD. State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources; 1999.

Martin RC, Watson D, Wan CK. A three-factor model of trait anger: Dimensions of affect, behavior, and cognition. J Pers. 2000;68(5):869–97.

Tabachnick BG, Fidell LS. Using multivariate statistics. 7th ed. Pearson; 2019.

Bonanno GA. Loss, Trauma, and Human Resilience: Have We Underestimated the Human Capacity to Thrive After Extremely Aversive Events? American Psychologist, 2004;59(1): 20–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.59.1.20

Connor KM, Davidson JRT. Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 2003;18(2): 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113

Fletcher D, Sarkar M. Psychological Resilience: A Review and Critique of Definitions, Concepts, and Theory. European Psychologist, 2013;18(1): 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000124

Aldao A, Nolen-Hoeksema S, Schweizer S. Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(2):217–37.

Gross JJ, John OP. Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: Implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2003;85(2): 348–362. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.2.348

González VM, Bradford DE, Mauss IB. The role of anger regulation and anger expression in psychological health. Emotion. 2018;18(6):779–93.

Sarkar M, Fletcher D. Psychological resilience in sport performers: a review of stressors and protective factors. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2014; 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.901551

Fletcher D, Sarkar M. A grounded theory of psychological resilience in Olympic champions. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2012;13(5): 669–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.04.007