Trait Anger and Anger Expression Styles in Muay Thai Athletes

Abstract

In this research, Muay Thai athletes who are university students have been examined by evaluating trait anger and anger expressions in terms of some variables. One hundred and ninety-five Muay Thai Athletes from Turkey Muay Thai Championship between universities volunteered for the study. “The Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scales” by Spielberger was used to determine the trait anger and anger expression styles of participants. Kruskal Wallis H and Mann Whitney U tests were applied for statistical analysis and comparison of variables. 
 
 According to the general results of the study; for Anger/In subscale, male athletes had higher points than female athletes. The mothers of high school graduates have higher Anger-In scores than whose mothers had university graduate, and whose father had high school graduate, than in athletes, whose father had primary school graduate. It was found that athletes, whose mothers had secondary school graduate, had higher anger/out subscale points than athletes, whose mothers had primary school graduate and university graduate. Anger/in subscale points of athletes, who had 9 years and more of sport experience, were higher than athletes, who had a lower of sport experience. Those with 3–4 years of sport experience had higher anger/out subscale points than those with 1–2 years and 9 years and more of sport experience. Those with 9 years and more had higher anger-control subscale points than those with a lower of sport experience. There was no significant difference in trait anger and anger/in subscales points between athletes joined international tournaments and who did not. There was a significant different in anger/out and anger/control subscales points between athletes joined international tournaments and who did not. 
 
 As a result, Muay Thai athletes, who are university students, have differences in the forms of trait anger and anger expressions in the dimensions of family (parents’ education level), sporting time and participation in international competitions, the positive incentives of the family to sports, the experiences of the individual in the field of sports and the sense of self-realization have been evaluated that they have a motivational and positive effect on managing, controlling, or suppressing anger.

Muay Thai, Psychological Well-Being, and Cultivation of Combat-Relevant Affordances

“…We have now reviewed the literature on psychological well-being and found ample empirical evidence confirming that positive emotions [33][34][35][36][37][38][39], engagement [36,[44][45][46][47][48], relationships [51][52][53][54][55][56], meaning [36,[60][61][62][63][64][65], and accomplishment [67][68][69][70][71][72] are important elements that contribute to overall psychological well-being [16]. We have also reviewed recent research on Muay Thai training and found a growing body of empirical work suggesting that Muay Thai training can contribute to positive emotions [40][41][42][43], engagement [49,50], relationships [41,50,[57][58][59], meaning [42,49,…”

“…In that fight, I realised how tough I can be" (p. 338). Finally, empirical research by Ustun and Tasgin [43] that investigated the relationship between Muay Thai experience and anger in university students in Turkey (n = 125) found that individuals with 9 or more years of Muay Thai experience showed significantly lower scores for introverted and suppressed anger than those with only 1-2 years, 3-4 years, and 5-6 years of Muay Thai experience. Ustun and Tasgin [43] also found that individuals with 9 or more years of Muay Thai experience showed significantly higher scores for anger control than those with only 1-2 years, 3-4 years, and 7-8 years of Muay Thai experience.…”

“…Finally, empirical research by Ustun and Tasgin [43] that investigated the relationship between Muay Thai experience and anger in university students in Turkey (n = 125) found that individuals with 9 or more years of Muay Thai experience showed significantly lower scores for introverted and suppressed anger than those with only 1-2 years, 3-4 years, and 5-6 years of Muay Thai experience. Ustun and Tasgin [43] also found that individuals with 9 or more years of Muay Thai experience showed significantly higher scores for anger control than those with only 1-2 years, 3-4 years, and 7-8 years of Muay Thai experience. Contrary to unsupported speculation in the philosophical literature that martial arts training leads to mental instability and the promotion of violence in individuals [9][10][11], results of several empirical studies suggest that Muay Thai training may actually help to reduce anger and improve anger control.…”

“…Contrary to unsupported speculation in the philosophical literature that martial arts training leads to mental instability and the promotion of violence in individuals [9][10][11], results of several empirical studies suggest that Muay Thai training may actually help to reduce anger and improve anger control. Given the fact that existing research on Muay Thai training has shown that it can produce pleasurable excitement and remove negative emotions [41], reduce anger and improve anger control [43], improve self-esteem and emotional regulation [40], and improve confidence and self-knowledge [42], there is some empirical evidence suggesting that Muay Thai training can contribute to positive emotions, which is an important element of overall psychological well-being.…”