Exploring the Trait of Neuroticism in University-Level Endurance Athletes Using the Big Five Inventory

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the levels of neuroticism among university-level endurance athletes using the Big Five Inventory (BFI). A total of 60 athletes, including both male and female participants engaged in endurance sports such as long-distance running, swimming, cycling, and triathlon, were surveyed using the neuroticism subscale of the BFI. The research employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that the mean neuroticism score was 22.8 (SD = 5.6), with scores ranging from 12 to 35. Categorization based on percentile ranks showed that 23.3% of athletes had low neuroticism, 55% moderate, and 21.7% high levels. The findings suggest that while most university endurance athletes maintain a moderate level of emotional stability, a significant minority exhibit elevated neurotic tendencies, which may affect stress management and psychological resilience. These results highlight the need for integrating psychological support and emotional regulation training in athletic development programs, especially for those at risk of high emotional instability.

Introduction

Recent research in sport psychology emphasizes the role of personality traits—especially neuroticism—in influencing athletic performance, resilience, and well-being. Neuroticism, characterized by anxiety, mood swings, and emotional instability, can affect how athletes handle stress and recover from fatigue. While well studied in the general population, its impact on endurance athletes—who face both academic and physical challenges—remains underexplored.

Study Purpose

This study aimed to assess neuroticism levels among 60 university-level endurance athletes (runners, swimmers, cyclists, triathletes) using the Big Five Inventory (BFI) to:

• Identify patterns of emotional traits,

• Explore psychological vulnerabilities,

• Provide insights for mental health interventions in sports.

Methodology

• Design: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional.

• Participants: 60 athletes (both genders), all with ≥1 year of competitive experience.

• Tool: Big Five Inventory (44-item self-report questionnaire).

• Focus: Neuroticism subscale.

• Analysis: Descriptive statistics (mean, SD, frequency distributions).

Key Results

• Mean Neuroticism Score: 22.8 (SD = 5.6); range: 12–35.

• Score Categorization:

  • Low (12–18): 14 athletes (23.3%)

  • Moderate (19–27): 33 athletes (55.0%)

  • High (28–35): 13 athletes (21.7%)

???? Insight: Most athletes showed moderate emotional stability, but 1 in 5 had high neuroticism, indicating potential psychological risk.

Discussion

• Implications:

  • Athletes with high neuroticism may be more prone to stress, anxiety, burnout, and poor recovery.

  • Even moderate levels can affect performance and coping.

  • Elevated neuroticism may reduce resilience but can sometimes motivate better preparation.

• Recommendation:

  • Tailored mental skills training and psychological support should be integrated into athletic programs.

• Limitations:

  • No inferential or correlational analysis was conducted.

  • Future studies should explore links with performance outcomes and coping mechanisms.

Conclusion

This study aimed to assess the levels of neuroticism among university-level endurance athletes using the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and descriptive statistical methods. The findings revealed that a majority of participants exhibited moderate levels of neuroticism, while a significant proportion—over 20%—demonstrated high levels, suggesting a heightened vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and emotional instability in this subgroup. These results emphasize the importance of psychological profiling in athletic development, particularly in endurance sports where mental resilience is as crucial as physical performance. While neuroticism does not directly determine athletic success, it may influence how athletes respond to competitive pressure, manage fatigue, and recover from setbacks. Identifying such traits can support the implementation of targeted mental health interventions, stress management strategies, and emotional regulation training within university sports programs.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Rohit Chauhan, Dr. Shubham Kumar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.