Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women
IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate differences in psychological resilience between women who participate in martial arts and those who do not, while also examining the influence of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.MethodsA total of 802 women voluntarily participated, including...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1592326/full |
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| author | Aydın Pekel Mehmet Behzat Turan Meriç Eraslan Mujahid Iqbal Osman Pepe Keziban Yoka Osman Yoka |
| author_facet | Aydın Pekel Mehmet Behzat Turan Meriç Eraslan Mujahid Iqbal Osman Pepe Keziban Yoka Osman Yoka |
| author_sort | Aydın Pekel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate differences in psychological resilience between women who participate in martial arts and those who do not, while also examining the influence of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.MethodsA total of 802 women voluntarily participated, including 407 martial arts practitioners (Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, or taekwondo) and 395 women who practiced Pilates. Data were collected via an online self-report questionnaire that included the Psychological Resilience Scale and a demographic information form. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVA.ResultsResults showed that women engaged in martial arts demonstrated significantly higher levels of psychological resilience in the sub-dimensions of control (p < .01, d = 0.47) and challenge p < .01, d = 0.27) compared to non-practitioners. However, in the commitment sub-dimension, non-martial arts participants scored higher (p < .05, d = 0.35). Among martial artists, psychological resilience varied significantly based on age, experience of violence, and smoking status. Significant differences were found for non-martial artists according to age, educational attainment, and income level.DiscussionThese findings suggest that participation in martial arts may enhance specific dimensions of psychological resilience, especially in managing stress and embracing challenges. However, it may not necessarily foster higher commitment levels. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a91c7ce927f24a14bad1c0d6b3c59b90 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a91c7ce927f24a14bad1c0d6b3c59b902025-08-20T04:01:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-06-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15923261592326Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among womenAydın Pekel0Mehmet Behzat Turan1Meriç Eraslan2Mujahid Iqbal3Osman Pepe4Keziban Yoka5Osman Yoka6Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, TürkiyeFaculty of Sports Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, TürkiyeFaculty of Sports Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, TürkiyeBeijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, TürkiyeIstanbul Esenyurt University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Niğde, TürkiyeInstitute of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, TürkiyeIntroductionThis study aimed to investigate differences in psychological resilience between women who participate in martial arts and those who do not, while also examining the influence of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.MethodsA total of 802 women voluntarily participated, including 407 martial arts practitioners (Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, or taekwondo) and 395 women who practiced Pilates. Data were collected via an online self-report questionnaire that included the Psychological Resilience Scale and a demographic information form. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVA.ResultsResults showed that women engaged in martial arts demonstrated significantly higher levels of psychological resilience in the sub-dimensions of control (p < .01, d = 0.47) and challenge p < .01, d = 0.27) compared to non-practitioners. However, in the commitment sub-dimension, non-martial arts participants scored higher (p < .05, d = 0.35). Among martial artists, psychological resilience varied significantly based on age, experience of violence, and smoking status. Significant differences were found for non-martial artists according to age, educational attainment, and income level.DiscussionThese findings suggest that participation in martial arts may enhance specific dimensions of psychological resilience, especially in managing stress and embracing challenges. However, it may not necessarily foster higher commitment levels.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1592326/fullpsychological resiliencewomenviolencesportmartial arts |
| spellingShingle | Aydın Pekel Mehmet Behzat Turan Meriç Eraslan Mujahid Iqbal Osman Pepe Keziban Yoka Osman Yoka Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women Frontiers in Psychology psychological resilience women violence sport martial arts |
| title | Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women |
| title_full | Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women |
| title_fullStr | Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women |
| title_short | Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women |
| title_sort | building resilience through self defense the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women |
| topic | psychological resilience women violence sport martial arts |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1592326/full |
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