Mental strategies and well-being: the dynamics of superstition and obsessive thoughts in team and individual athletes

Authors

  • Nisanur Canikli Temel Faculty of Sport Sciences, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Türkiye.
  • Sermin Agrali Ermis Faculty of Sport Sciences, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Türkiye.
  • Rabia Yıldız Ozturk Faculty of Sport Sciences, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye.
  • Turhan Toros Faculty of Sport Sciences, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye.
  • Emre Serin Faculty of Sport Sciences, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye.
  • Meliha Uzun School of Physical Education and Sports, Sirnak University, Sirnak, Türkiye.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.686101
Keywords: Athlete, Superstition, Obsessive Thoughts, Well-Being, Mental Strategies

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of psychological dynamics, particularly superstitions (repetitive thoughts or behaviors) and obsessions (lucky symbols, rituals), on the subjective well- being (mental health and overall satisfaction) of individuals engaged in team and individual sports. The research used a cross-sectional design. A total of 373 athletes (177 females, 196 males) participated in the study. The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 35, with a mean age of 23.7 years. The average sports experience was 7.4 years. Data collection tools included the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire, the Attitudes Towards Superstitious Behavior in Sports Scale, and the Subjective Well-Being Scale. The results revealed statistically significant differences in superstition levels, obsessive beliefs, and subjective well-being between team and individual athletes (p<0.05). The effects of superstition and obsession levels on subjective well-being were also identified. These findings suggest that athletes' mental dynamics may differ depending on the type of sport, and these dynamics can have significant impacts on their subjective well-being.

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Published
19-05-2026
How to Cite
Canikli Temel, N., Agrali Ermis, S., Yıldız Ozturk, R., Toros, T., Serin, E., & Uzun, M. (2026). Mental strategies and well-being: the dynamics of superstition and obsessive thoughts in team and individual athletes. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 15, 37. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.686101
Issue
Vol. 15 (2026)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.