Abstract:
Personality is the distinctive patterns of actions, thoughts, and feelings that are shaped
by biological and environmental causes and alter through time. The purpose of this
study was to compare the personality traits of athletes and non-athletes in Sabaragamuwa
University of Sri Lanka along with one specific objective to compare the personality
traits among faculties. Under quantitative research design, a cross sectional
study was conducted by selecting 203 undergraduates using a multi-stage sampling
technique. According to the baseline survey there were 128 athletes (63%) and 75 nonathletes
(37%). Data were collected through standard questionnaire under The Big
Five Personality Test. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics and MANOVA
test. Results revealed that athletes tend to score higher in extraversion (23.60±6.05),
conscientiousness (18.64±8.09), and emotional stability (20.62±5.62) while non-athletes
tend to score higher in openness (19.86±6.09) and agreeableness (13.78±6.72). Further,
there was a significant difference between athletes and non- athletes’ personality traits
such as extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness (p < 0.05). However,
the difference of agreeableness personality trait was not significant between athletes
and non-athletes (p > 0.05). The mean values for personality traits of the Faculty of
Applied Sciences have shown the highest average at 3.7 and the Faculty of Graduate
Studies having the lowest average of 2.73. Additionally, athletes have been found to
have a greater drive for achievement, higher levels of confidence and competitiveness,
and better stress management skills. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the sportsmen
were far ahead in the personality traits of extroversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness,
and openness. That is, the development of these characteristics of a person has been
strongly and positively affected by playing sports.
