Elliot, D. L., Miller, K., Markel, G., Druschella, R., McGinnis, W., DeFrancesco, C., Sadler, D., Moe, E., Kuehl, K., & Goldberg, L. (2011). Female and male high-school athletes differ in their psychological profiles. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 3238.

This study compared the psychological profiles of female (N = 431; soccer, volleyball, cross-country) and male (N = 397; soccer, football, cross-country) high school athletes. A 45-minute anonymous survey using validated indices of psychological well-being was administered to female and male athletes from a range of sports across nine high schools.

Significant differences were observed for most psychological dimensions. Anxiety, home-stress, and peer-related stress were not different by gender. Males had significantly greater self-esteem, aggression, and a win-at-all-cost attitude than females. Female athletes had greater feelings of depression, disordered eating, fatigue, and stress due to lack of time.

Implication. Female and male high-school athletes differ in psychological profiles. Training programs with mixed genders most likely would compromise the quality of experience for athletes of both genders.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.