Background and Rationale of the Study

Emerging as a dynamic field within sports science, sports psychology has demonstrably

influenced various domains of athletics and their associated areas (Gill, Williams, & Reifsteck,

2017). This influence is reflected in the growing adoption of mental techniques by athletes and

teams worldwide, with research suggesting a positive correlation between such techniques and

improved performance (Hatzigeorgiadis et al., 2011). One intriguing aspect of sports psychology

lies in its potential to predict future success. Research suggests that elite athletes may possess

specific personality characteristics that contribute to their achievements within their chosen sport

(Teshome et al., 2015). Furthermore, this field offers valuable insights into the personality

profiles associated with successful athletes.

Within the field of psychology, personality traits are generally understood to be the

enduring characteristics that influence an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and emotional

responses across various situations (Anshel, 2011). According to research, there is presumably a

positive association between personality and participation in sports (Allen & Laborde, 2014;

Allen et. al., 2015b). This means that while playing sports can have an impact on personality

development, personality development can also have an impact on how much an individual

participates in sports and other forms of physical activity as Super et al. (2018) asserted.

Since studies have shown that sports participation can benefit not only physical health but

also mental, cognitive, and social health (Bailey et al., 2013; Eime et al. 2013), researchers have

frequently argued that participation in sports can have an impact on adolescents’ personal

development (Fraser-Thomas et al. 2005; Turnnidge et al., 2014). Such convincing findings are

cause for concern as this shows that there is a between school sports involvement and self-
esteem, good body image judgments, and academic success (Wretman, C. J., 2017). While this

indicates the broader benefits of participation in sports, there are also certain implications of

certain drawbacks such as pressure and expectations to excel, the possibility for exclusion, and

overemphasis on sports involvement, among others that could affect the self-esteem of

adolescents.

Additionally, understanding the link between personality traits, getting involved with

sports, and athletic performance is essential, especially for college students who are going

through an exceptionally challenging period in their lives. Previous studies have demonstrated

that personality characteristics can have a considerable impact on an individual's propensity to

participate in sports activities and their overall performance in those activities. In this respect,

agreeableness predicted future decreases in physical activity, whereas conscientiousness and

openness predicted future increases in physical activity, such as sports (Allen et al., 2017).

In consideration of the preceding personality traits, low neuroticism was shown by

Piepiora and Witkowski (2020b) to be the primary mental characteristic that set sports

champions apart from the rest of the field, enabling them to respond effectively in trying

circumstances, whereas Allen et al., (2021) in their review, attributed this significance to

extraversion. According to them, extraversion is a key characteristic that distinguishes sports

groups. Additionally, highly extroverted athletes use more adaptable action methods, have

deeper relationships with coaches and players, and frequently achieve greater success.

Moreover, research suggests a complex interplay between personality traits and gender in

sports performance. For male athletes, several studies highlight the positive influence of

agreeableness. Habib et al. (2020) and Piepiora (2020) found agreeableness to be a significant
predictor of performance, particularly in team sports (Bradley et al., 2013). This aligns with the

notion that agreeableness fosters cooperation and team cohesion, crucial aspects of success in

collaborative athletic environments. Conversely, the relationship between agreeableness and

performance for female athletes appears less straightforward. Studies in non-athletic settings

(Ryazanova, 2022) suggest a curvilinear association, where moderate agreeableness is optimal

for performance evaluations. Additionally, Bradley et al. (2013) found conscientiousness, not

agreeableness, to be the sole predictor of performance among female athletes. These findings

warrant further investigation into the specific contexts where agreeableness benefits female

athletic performance.

Furthermore, despite the growing body of literature when it comes to the relationship of

personality traits and sports participation and performance, there still remains gaps in this

particular field, specifically on the influence of sex, as differences may possibly play a role on

how personality traits impact sports performance. To address these gaps, this study aimed to

examine personality traits influence students at Mindanao State University-Main Campus

performance in sports and how sex differences between these variables provide insights into

shaping the dynamics between them. This study sought to expand the comprehension of the

nuanced relationships between individual characteristics and athletic success by evaluating the

association between personality traits and sports performance.

It is the researchers’ pursuit that this study produces additional viewpoints and

comprehension about the subject of personality traits, sports performance, and sex as a

moderator variable, through an extensive analysis of quantitative data.

A variety but connected theories served as models for the identification of study factors,

research questions, and their proposed correlations, as well as the methods used for data analysis.

This study is anchored on the Trait Theory.

According to Trait Theory, people have persistent personality qualities that are stable and

can predict their conduct in a variety of contexts. Certain characteristics, such as

competitiveness, self-assurance, and determination, are thought to have a good effect on an

athlete's performance in sports. The trait theory of Eysenck argued that an athlete's personality is

innate and derived from their parents' DNA. He noted that every behavior is intrinsic, and people

naturally gravitate toward certain actions in particular circumstances.

These actions are measurable with surveys and are consistent (Top & Akil, 2018).

Trait theorists have agreed on a five-factor model of personality. There are other

personality tests available, but the Big Five, sometimes known as the Five Factor Model (FFM),

is a widely recognized empirical model in the social sciences. A five-factor personality model is

made up of five measuring scales. Extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional

stability, and openness are the five components of personality that make up the Big Five theory's

framework. Blanco, Hill, and Piedmont (1999) discovered that it was possible to forecast the

success of athletic performance using the five-factor model of personality. The five-factor

personality model is a very helpful tool for evaluating individual differences (Singh & Manoj,

2012). For this, the Big Five model is frequently employed. Since personality traits characterize

comparatively stable dispositions, it makes more sense to look for them in recurring behavioral

patterns. Socially and culturally significant behaviors, which typically depend on multiple
personality traits operating simultaneously, are explained by the Big Five model (Buss & Craik,

1983; Wiggins, 1996).

Moreocer, the cornerstone of Eysenck's model is the PEN model, which identifies three

core dimensions: Psychoticism (P), Extraversion (E), and Neuroticism (N) (Eysenck, 1990).

Psychoticism reflects a tendency towards aggression, impulsivity, and social deviance.

Extraversion captures the degree of outward orientation and stimulation-seeking behavior.

Finally, neuroticism reflects emotional stability, with higher scores indicating proneness to

anxiety and negative emotions.

Eysenck's theory posits that these personality traits influence performance by interacting

with situational demands. For instance, research suggests that introverts (low E) tend to perform

better in tasks requiring focused attention and minimal external stimulation (Spielberger &

Strelau, 1995). In contrast, extraverts (high E) may excel in tasks that involve social interaction

or require high energy levels (McCrae, 1996). Similarly, individuals high in neuroticism (N) may

struggle with tasks that induce anxiety or pressure, while those low in N may exhibit better

emotional regulation and stress management in performance contexts (Eysenck, 1981).

However, it's important to acknowledge that Eysenck's model is not deterministic. The

relationship between personality traits and performance is complex and influenced by other

factors. Situational demands, task characteristics, and individual experiences can all play a role

in moderating the impact of personality on performance.

The five-factor model model facilitated in explaining the relationship between personality

traits, neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, and sport

performance.

Research has explored the influence of personality traits on sport performance, with sex

emerging as a potential moderator. Studies have yielded consistent findings regarding the

positive impact of extraversion on athletic performance (e.g., Gould et al., 2018; Weinberg &

Gould, 2019). Extraverted athletes tend to be more competitive, thrive under pressure, and

effectively manage arousal levels in competitive situations (Martens et al., 2020). In contrast,

neuroticism has been associated with poorer performance (e.g., Côté & Hanrahan, 2010).

Athletes high in neuroticism experience greater anxiety, struggle with emotional regulation, and

exhibit decreased focus under pressure (Jones, 2018). In such studies, personality traits are the

predictive variables, and social support is the outcome variable. However, the expression of these

traits and their impact on performance may differ between men and women. Sex as a moderator

in this relationship warrants further investigation (Amorose & Gardner, 2020).

Eysenck, H. J. (1981). A model for anxiety. Cognition and Emotion, 4(1), 3-47.

Eysenck, H. J. (1990). Personality: A psychobiological approach. Psychology Press.

McCrae, R. R. (1996). Social and emotional dimensions of personality. Current Directions in

Psychological Science, 5(4), 100-105.

Spielberger, C. D., & Strelau, J. (1995). Anxiety and temperament: Theoretical and empirical

considerations. In C. D. Spielberger & I. G. Sarason (Eds.), Stress and anxiety (Vol. 18, pp. 83-

100). Hemisphere Publishing Corporation.

Amorose, A. J., & Gardner, M. H. (2020). Sex differences in mental health and sport

performance: A narrative review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 47, 101612.

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