The Individual Competing With Himself: The Development of Self-Esteem in Sport
Chapter from the book:
Avcı,
P.
(ed.)
2024.
Different Dynamics in Sport Sciences-I.
Synopsis
Self can be defined as a system in which a person's values, feelings, and self-concepts are shaped and formed through interactions with the environment. The self has important functions, such as how the individual perceives himself/herself, how he/she relates to his/her environment in accordance with this perception, and how he/she reacts. The self also fulfils many functions, such as remembering, thinking, evaluating facts, perceiving stimuli, and producing solutions to problems. Self-esteem is formed when an individual values himself/herself and evaluates himself/herself positively; it is based on feelings of worth, competence, and success. When a person perceives himself/herself as he/she should be, he/she increases his/her respect and love for himself/herself. This situation is called general self-esteem and refers to the positive or negative attitudes that the individual develops towards himself/herself. The role of self-esteem in sports is an important factor affecting an individual's participation in sports activities, motivation, and performance. The physical, psychological, and social support provided by sport contributes to better self-awareness and self-confidence. Athletes with high self-esteem usually enjoy competition and are less stressed in case of failure, contributing to their sports continuity. However, in individuals with low self-esteem, reluctance to do sports, performance anxiety, and fear of failure are more common. These individuals may avoid doing sports or may not be able to express themselves sufficiently when they participate in sports.