An exploration of the psychological immune system in Hungarian gymnasts

Abstract

Elite athletes’ participation in sports is oftentimes associated with considerable physical and psychosocial stressors as it requires a continuous strive for success in a highly competitive environment. Coping has been identified as an extremely influential factor in an athlete’s life, affecting both the performance and satisfaction of the individual. Its effectiveness is determined by various potentials of the personality that provide the necessary resources when dealing with stressful situations. The multidimensional Psychological Immune System (PIS) model integrates 16 of such personal resilience resources that provide immunity against stress. The purpose of the study was to examine the personal resources of adolescent Hungarian gymnasts with the PIS Inventory, and to explore whether any constellations of personality resources can be identified as contributing to their performance and their subjective feelings of satisfaction. The sample consisted of female gymnasts (n=67, age 14-24) of different competitive levels. The PIS Inventory was assessed, followed by a demographic questionnaire that included questions regarding the participants’ performance and their subjective levels of satisfaction. When compared to the general population, the gymnastic sample reported significantly higher scores on the scales Creative Self-Concept and Social Mobilizing Capacity as well as on the Creating-Executing Subsystem of the PISI, while they showed lower scores on Sense of Self-Growth, Synchronicity, Goal Orientation and Emotional Control as well as on the Self-Regulating Subsystem of the PISI. Results were interpreted as a result of the athletes’ young age and various characteristics of their sport, and specific recommendations for improvement were made for coaches and sport psychologists. The personality resources comprised by the PISI were found to predict the gymnasts’ level of satisfaction, with Sense of Coherence exerting the highest influence, however, they did not seem to contribute to their level of performance. The former result carries important practical implications as providing meaningful and personally important experiences in sport can enhance athletes’ feelings of satisfaction and eudaimonic well-being.