Gender Differences on Psychosocial Factors of Players: Implications for Promoting Women Sport Participation

Abstract

Introduction- Sport is one area where inequality on the base of gender is strongly evident. Whilst equality on the base of gender has come a long way in regard to sports there is still room for more improvement. Inequality in sports in regard to females can be drawn upon three things inconsistent salaries, mass media and gender stereotypes. Objectives- To find the difference of Mental Toughness among women and men team & Individual players. Methods- aged 19-25 from interuniversity tournament male team players (n=100) and female team players (n=100) The questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS. The groups of players were selected for the study who have already represented their university. This study was set within an interpretative paradigm with four psychological strands which is Mental Toughness (Commitment,concentration, Confidence, Control under pressure ) The study found that there is significant difference between women and men team players about Mental Toughness . Implication - Girls are motivated to play games but need the opportunities to participate. There is a pressing need to address the under-representation of women's sport in the media. A commitment to equal resources, time and equal salary, reward and equal treatment by coaches. The study suggests that supporting the development of MT in girls, through access to physical activities that challenge gendered prescriptions and promote agency.

 Keywords: Mental Toughness, Gender equality, Mass media, inconsistent salaries