Irrational Beliefs and Moral Behaviors: Are Irrational Performance Beliefs Predictor of Prosocial and Antisocial Behaviors in Athletes?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the atemporal mediating role of secondary irrational beliefs in the relationship between primary irrational beliefs and prosocial-antisocial behaviors in athletes. Ninety-two males (Mage=19.83 +/- 2.80) and 32 females (Mage=19.28 +/- 1.44), a total of 124 athletes (Mage=19.69 +/- 2.52) voluntarily participated in this study. Irrational Performance Belief Inventory-2 and Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior Scale were administered, and regression analysis was performed by using bootstrapping via PROCESS macro v4.2. Analysis indicated a significant atemporal direct effect of awfulizing belief on prosocial behaviors toward teammates and opponents. The direct effect of low frustration tolerance belief on prosocial behaviors toward opponents was also significant. Demandingness, awfulizing, and depreciation beliefs had atemporal direct effects on antisocial behaviors toward teammates. There were significant atemporal indirect effects of demandingness belief on prosocial behaviors toward teammates through awfulizing, prosocial behaviors toward opponents through low frustration tolerance, and antisocial behaviors toward teammates through low frustration tolerance and depreciation. In conclusion, there is atemporal mediating role of secondary irrational performance beliefs in the relationship between primary irrational performance beliefs and prosocial-antisocial behaviors.