Thesis supervisor: Attila Szabó
belső konzulens: Kata Morvay-Sey
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary Abbreviation of location of studies: EDI
Description of the research topic:
Sport goes far beyond the physical benefits of exercise and has a multifaceted and profound impact on individuals and societies. Sport can play a crucial role in personal development, social cohesion, and cultural exchange, in addition to having a health-preserving role, and the benefits of an active lifestyle have been published in numerous literature (Bellocco et al., 2010; Lee et al., 2011, Scully et al., 2011). et al., 2016, Kovács and Pikó 2011). The impact of sports on mental health is getting a lot of attention these days, as it can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, improve mood, increase self-esteem, and improve sleep quality. Endorphins released during physical activity act as natural mood enhancers. In addition, the focus and concentration required during sports can also serve as a form of alert attention, helping to divert attention from daily stress (Clow, Edmunds 2013). The beneficial effect of sports can be observed in the case of many mental disorders, and the self-strengthening and self-esteem-enhancing role of a sporty lifestyle has also been proven (Kopp and Kovács, 2006).
Playing sports can not only relieve stress but can also appear as a source of stress (Stevens et al 2013). This can mean that instead of a positive state, a negative form of behavior is created, which the scientific literature calls exercise addiction. (Szabo, 2010; Szabó, Griffiths, Marcos, Mervó and Demetrovics, 2015, Szabó &Demetrovics 2022). Exercise addiction, also known as compulsive exercise or exercise addiction, is a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive or compulsive physical activity with negative consequences. It is important to distinguish between a high level of commitment to physical fitness and exercise addiction; the latter involves a pattern of behavior that interferes with daily life, causes anxiety, and often leads to physical injury and other health problems. The former refers to the passion displayed during sports, and the intense emotions and dedication that athletes feel towards their sport. It is a powerful force that drives athletes to engage in their sport with enthusiasm, persistence, and strength over time. The concept of passion in sports completely encompasses how sportspeople identify with their sport, how it is integrated into their lives, and how it affects their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
The dualistic model proposed by Vallerand et al. (2003) is a key framework for understanding passion in sports. This model distinguishes between two types of passion: harmonious passion and obsessive passion.
Harmonious passion occurs when individuals freely pursue their sport because they love it. This type of passion is associated with positive experiences such as pleasure, satisfaction, and a sense of well-being. Athletes with harmonious passion are more likely to experience flow during their sport, complete immersion, and its serious state. They maintain a healthy balance between their sport and other areas of their lives, ensuring that their involvement in sport is sustainable and enriching.
Obsessive passion occurs when participation in sports is driven by external contingencies such as self-esteem, social acceptance, or rewards. Obsessively passionate athletes may feel compelled to play sports even when it may not be enjoyable, leading to conflict and stress. This type of passion can have negative consequences, including anxiety, burnout, and a higher risk of injury. Although athletes with an obsessive passion can achieve high levels of performance, their well-being and personal lives can be significant.
Several questionnaires are available for the research of addiction (Exercise Addiction Inventory), passion (Passion scale, 8-item Passion Scale) and motivation (Sport Motivation Scale) in sports. The connections become detectable and the differences between individual sports, athlete intensities, genders and social and/or cultural backgrounds can be shed light on.
Required language skills: English language exam B2 level Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): B2 komplex Number of students who can be accepted: 1
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