Date
7-15-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Stacey Gaines
Keywords
BJJ, martial arts, combat sports, mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, aggression, life satisfaction, mental health
Disciplines
Psychology | Sports Sciences
Recommended Citation
de Lorenco-Lima, Leandro, "Psychological Profile of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5778.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5778
Abstract
Martial arts and combat sports have been shown to influence several desirable psychological factors positively. This quantitative study aimed to explore the differences in mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, aggression, life satisfaction, and mental health between belt ranks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes. A sample of 410 BJJ participants (323 males and 87 females) from 18 to 60 years of age was included in this study. Data was collected anonymously via Google Form and included the Mental Strength Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Grit Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Brief Self-Control Scale, Brief Aggression Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Mental Health Disorders Screening Instrument for Athletes, and additional demographic information. Analyses of variance with Tukey post-hoc were performed to compare the psychological profile among BJJ belt ranks. Independent samples t-tests were performed to access the differences between white and black belts, and biological sexes. ANOVA revealed significantly higher grit in black belts than white and blue belts, in addition to higher grit in purple than white belts. Black belts reported significantly higher mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, life satisfaction, and better mental health than white belts. Moreover, significantly higher mental strength, resilience, and aggression were found in males than females. In conclusion, this study's findings provide evidence of the positive impact of BJJ training on mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, life satisfaction, and mental health, with no significant differences in aggression after short-, mid-, and long-term engagement with BJJ.
