The relationship between selected psychological traits and fear of success in senior elite level wrestlers.

Abstract

The present study sought to examine the relationship between selected psychological traits as measured by the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing (IPAT) 16 PF inventory and fear of success as measured by the Fear of Success Scale (FOSS). The subjects were 36 Senior elite wrestlers (age 20-25) who were invited to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center to prepare for an up-coming inter-national competition. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the following 16 PF factors predicted fear of success (p less than .05): IPAT-Q4, IPAT-L, IPAT-E, and IPAT-O. The multiple R was .75 and the R2 was 57.78%. Interpretation of the results suggest that while this sample of Senior elite wrestlers generally exhibit extremely low fear of success scores, athletes who are tense, frustrated, apprehensive, submissive, humble, and trusting tend to be more fearful of the consequences of success than those who are relaxed, unfrustrated, self-assured, assertive, competitive, and suspecting.