Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1995

Thesis Director

John D. (Jake) Emmett

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the personality traits of collegiate female athletes with a high incidence of injury when compared to female athletes with a low incidence of injury. Fourteen female intercollegiate athletes completed a personal information questionnaire and Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire during a one hour session of testing.

The mean raw scores of the two groups were analyzed to determine if they differed statistically. The mean raw scores were then converted to mean sten scores under the recommendations of Cattell. A visual depiction of the mean sten scores was also completed to identify any possible trends.

The results of this study indicate that there is a significant difference between those athletes with a high and low incidence of injury on the primary personality factor B. Factor B indicates an individuals reasoning abilities. The findings of this study indicate that athletes with a high incidence of injury are more concrete thinkers, while those athletes with a low incidence of injury tend to be more abstract thinkers. However, this finding may not be as profound because the mean sten scores of both groups fall within the average range of the population. A visual inspection of the data also seems to indicate with more subjects there may have been a significant difference in the personality traits of warmth, dominance, and independence.

It was also found that there seems to be a relationship between the number of high school injuries and collegiate injuries. After review of the personal information questionnaires, it was found that all but one individual that was classified as having a high incidence of injury in college would also have been classified similarly in high school.

The findings of this study indicate that the use of a personality inventory may be helpful to some degree in determining the incidence of injury in collegiate female athletes. This may help coaches, and athletic trainers to better help such athletes whether it be in prevention or rehabilitation. This study also seems to indicate that more studies should be done in this area. However, future studies should address a wider variety of issues associated with injury such as exposures, and type of equipment available to the athletes.

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