2015, Volume 11, Issue 1
Taekwondo training in the context of dealing with negative emotions
Dorota Ortenburger1, Jacek Wąsik2, Alena Bukova3
1Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Czestochowa, Poland
2Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy, Jan Dlugosz University of Czestochowa, Czestochowa, Poland
3Institute of Physical Education and Sport, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
Author for correspondence: Jacek Wąsik; Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy, Jan Dlugosz University of Czestochowa, Czestochowa, Poland; email: jwasik[at]konto.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Effective dealing with intense negative emotions such as anger, frustration and irritation has an adaptive meaning. Being angry is not considered a substantial problem, what matters is how people deal with it. In the light of related literature, one of the psychologically most beneficial aspects of martial arts training is the increase in the ability to cope well with negative emotional pressure. The aim of this study is answering the questions: how taekwondo practitioners deal with negative emotions? Do the temporary variables (the frequency of trainings and age) and the quality variables (e.g. participation in taekwondo camps) differentiate the group with respect to dealing with these feelings?
Material and Methods: The research group was composed of 47 individuals who practice taekwondo (average 25.17 ±9.73 years). The research investigated a group of emotions considered to have stressful character (such as anger) and cope well with negative emotional pressure. We applied research measures of health psychology. Questionnaires used in psychology and health promotion as well as an independently developed survey were applied (Anger Scale, Emotional Control Scale). The obtained results were subject to statistic analysis: cluster analysis with the use of k-means clustering was carried out
Results: Increased frequency of trainings (related to martial arts taekwondo camp), is connected with mitigated anger expression, increased the ability to control oneself, restraining negative emotional reactions.
Conclusions: In summary, we can say that effective dealing with fear, constructive dealing with frustration, anxiety of failure, dealing with disappointment and unpleasant surprises represent some of the many benefits arising from the effort devoted to practicing taekwondo.
Key words: anger, anxiety, coping well with pressure, dealing with negative emotions, martial arts
