Exploring the processes through which personality traits affect doping responses

Summary

This project aimed to understand how different personality traits influence athletes' responses to doping, including their attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. The study also examined whether coping strategies could explain these relationships. Conducted by researchers from Edge Hill University and Curtin University, the study used the Big-5 personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—and a model of coping strategies specifically designed for sports contexts. The goal was to identify personality profiles that might make athletes more likely to have negative responses to doping and to explore how coping strategies could be used in interventions.

Methodology

The study involved 447 athletes from various sports and competitive levels. Participants completed surveys that measured their personality traits, coping strategies, and doping-related responses, such as their attitudes and intentions towards doping. The researchers used statistical methods to analyze how personality traits and coping strategies were related to doping responses.

Results

The study found several key relationships between personality traits and doping responses:

• Extraversion: Athletes who were more extroverted tended to have negative attitudes towards doping, suggesting they are less likely to approve of doping.
• Neuroticism: Athletes with higher levels of neuroticism had fewer negative feelings about doping, which might make them more susceptible to doping.
• Openness: Athletes who were more open to new experiences had more positive feelings about doping, although this did not necessarily translate into doping behavior.
• Coping Strategies: The study found that how athletes coped with stress influenced their doping intentions and behaviors. For instance, athletes who used less disengagement coping (avoiding or giving up on a task) were more likely to intend to dope, especially if they were neurotic or agreeable.

Significance for Clean Sport

The findings suggest that understanding an athlete's personality and coping strategies can help identify those at risk of doping. This knowledge can be used to develop targeted interventions that teach effective coping strategies, potentially reducing the likelihood of doping. By focusing on athletes' individual differences, sports organizations can create more effective anti-doping programs and promote a cleaner sports environment.

The study highlights the importance of considering both personality traits and coping mechanisms in designing educational programs and interventions. For example, athletes who are naturally more anxious or open to new experiences might benefit from learning specific coping strategies that help them manage stress and resist the temptation to dope. This approach could lead to more personalized and effective anti-doping efforts, ultimately contributing to the integrity and fairness of competitive sports.