Personality related Risks and Protective Factors for Sleep: Evidence from Elite Field-hockey Varsity Student-Athletes

Abstract

This research seeks to evaluate the relationship between big five personality traits, sleep quality and sleep efficiency among elite university-level field hockey athletes. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, utilizing the PSQI to assess sleep quality and the BFI-10 to analyze personality traits. The sample comprised male and female elite field hockey players who were university students aged 18 to 25 years. The data analysis examined gender-specific variations for sleep quality. In the hierarchical regression analysis of sleep quality among male field hockey athletes, findings suggesting that higher extraversion was linked with better sleep quality. However, in female field hockey athletes there was no significant relationship observed. In addition, sleep efficiency was analyzed regardless of gender. Extraversion, neuroticism and openness were found as a significant predictor, suggesting that extraversion was linked with better sleep efficiency, while neuroticism and openness were linked with worse sleep efficiency. The results of this research are anticipated to better the understanding of the relationship of stable personality traits on sleep among high-performance student-athletes, providing valuable insights for sport psychologists, coaches, and athletic trainers seeking to optimize athlete recovery and mental health through tailored interventions.