Personality Attributes of Athletes and Non- Athletes in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

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.