Psychological Defeatism among Players at Specialized Training Centers Affiliated with the Department of Sports Talent in Nineveh

Abstract

This study aims to develop a psychological defeatism scale and identify the level of psychological defeatism among players at specialized training centers affiliated with the Department of Sports Talent in Nineveh. The researcher used the descriptive survey method, as it is suitable for the nature of the research problem and its objectives. The research sample consisted of (70) players from the specialized training centers affiliated with the Department of Sports Talent in Nineveh. To achieve the research objectives, a psychological defeatism scale was adopted in a form suitable for the sports environment. It consists of (30) items with a five-point response alternative: (always, often, sometimes, rarely, never). After verifying the scientific properties of the scale, it was administered to the sample. The researcher used several appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data, including the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, one-sample t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results showed that the mean score for psychological defeatism among the sample was 70.122, which is lower than the hypothetical mean of 90. The statistical significance of this score was -5.573 (t (70)), p > 0.05, indicating a low level of psychological defeatism among athletes in specialized training centers. This is attributed to the nature of the specialized training environment, the regularity of athletic activity, and the opportunities it provides for developing self-confidence, perseverance, and the ability to face difficulties, cope with failure, and navigate competitive situations. In light of these findings, the researcher recommended focusing on the psychological preparation of athletes alongside physical, technical, and tactical training. This includes conducting periodic measurements of psychological defeatism, activating the role of sports psychology counseling, and training coaches to identify psychological indicators that may affect athletes' continued performance and development.