Evaluation of the Mental Ability of the Student Athletes and Examining their Emotional Intelligence Levels

Abstract

This study examines the mental abilities of the student athletes and examining their emotional intelligence levels. The sample comprised 213 student athletes studying in the Bartin University. The data was collected with the Ottowa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (OMSAT-3'), Schuette emotional intelligence scale and personal data form. In conclusion, a significant difference was found in favor of the males in the stress reactions variable according to the gender (p<0.05). It was also showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the goal setting, commitment, imagery, mental practice, and self-confidence sub-dimensions of mental skills assessment tool for monthly income level of the participants (p<0.05) but no statistical significance was found according to the gender between the total scores and sub-dimensions of emotional intelligence (p>0.05). Additionally, a significant high correlation was reached between the monthly income level with the subdimensions of emotional intelligence and total scores, and between the mental skills assessment sub-dimension of the emotional intelligence and total scores (p<0.05). Lastly, when the mental skills assessment tool increase, the emotional intelligence score averages of the student athletes also increase.