The Relationships Between Emotional Reactivity and Psychological Adaptation Skills: A Study on Elite Level Athletes

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to examine the relationship between emotional reactivity, depression, anxiety and stress in elite athletes, considering that psychological qualities such as emotional reactivity and anxiety observed in athletes due to the heavy preparation conditions inherent in sports and the recent breaks in sports may increase the risk of psycho-social disorders. In this descriptive study, the relational survey model was used. The study group of the research consisted of a total of 209 elite level athletes, 59 women and 150 men, in different branches. As a data collection tool; “Emotional Responsiveness Scale” and “Turkish Short Form of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Dass 21)” were used. As a result of the study, there were significant differences between the emotional reactivity and depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the athletes involved in team sports compared to the athletes involved in individual sports, according to the sports branch. However, it has been determined that there is a positive and highly significant relationship between the emotional reactivity of the athletes and their depression, anxiety, and stress levels. As a result, considering the strong relationship between emotional reactivity and psychological adjustment skills, it is important to take protective measures in both social and professional lives of athletes for this concept, as an increase in the level of emotional reactivity may have positive relations with some psychological adjustment skills.Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Elite Athlete, Emotional Reactivity, Stress