Personal well-being as part of the quality of life: Is there a difference in the personal well-being of women and men with higher level of anxiety trait regarding their sport activity ?

Abstract

Anxiety trait is a relatively stable personality trait, which refers to the differences between individuals in terms of their tendency to experience state anxiety in response to the anticipation of a threat. Regular sport activity may influence some aspects of emotional adjustment in positive way and so on an individual ́s well-being. The aim of the study is to find out the possible differences in the level of separate dimensions of personal well-being of men and women with increased anxiety trait level, regarding their sport activity. The research sample consists of 74 respondents in late adolescence (30 men: athletes n=12, nonathletes n=18; 44 women athletes n=18, nonathletes n=26). We have used the standardized STAI questionnaire to determine the level of anxiety trait and standardized BDP questionnaire to determine the level of personal well-being (with respect to its two positive dimensions and three negative dimensions). The results have showed that male athletes demonstrated a significant higher level of positive attitude towards life (p=0.01) and a significantly lower level of awareness of problems (p=0.04) and depressive mood (p=0.03) as male nonathletes. Female athletes demonstrated a significant higher level of positive attitude towards life (p=0.02) and selfevaluation (p=0.00) while a significant lower level of depressive mood (p=0.04) as female nonathletes. Our findings indicate that regular sport activity can be a suitable instrument to increase personal wellbeing (in some aspects of well-being) of women and men with higher level of anxiety trait.