Psychological Sporting Talent and Indicators of Mental Health at Young Male and Female Handball Players // Psihološki talent i obilježja mentalnog zdravlja kod rukometaša i rukometašica

Abstract

Abstract:The main goal of the research is to determine gender differences in the subscales within Multidimensional Scale of Sports' Psychological Talents (MSSPT): Mental Energy Scale (MES), Modifi ed Big Five Inventory (MBFI), Modifi ed Short Hardiness Scale (MSHS), Modifi ed Athletic Engagement Scale (MAES), Modifi ed Athletic Identity Scale (MAIS), Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports (MPSIS) and Modifi ed Optimism Scale (OS)-R. The samples of 105 male (M) and 54 female (F) handball players were examined (age range 12-16 years), members of the teams Prvo plinarsko društvo, Metalac (Zagreb) and Zamet (Rijeka) (M); Zamet (Rijeka) and Samobor (F), in the beginning of 2015. The results revealed that six statistically significant gender differences are found: enthusiasm and motivation (higher means for females), extraversion, resilience, self-confi dence and concentration (higher means for males). The results provide the information about possible differentiated approach of the coaches when working with male and female handball players.