Roles, Rituals and Emotional Regulation of rugby players on different competitive levels

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/2019/vol49n1a8

 

Globally, people engage in the game of rugby as spectators, players and organisations on many different competitive levels for the
purpose of leisure, work and play. It is performed on both amateur and professional levels and engaged in by male and female players
ranging from pre-school to adults. The purpose of the study was to describe and compare the roles, rituals and emotional regulation,
on and off the field, of male rugby players on three different competitive levels in the Free State, South Africa. A cross-sectional study
design was used amongst rugby players (n=45); 1 team per competitive level (3 levels). The results of the study showed significant
differences with regards to roles that rugby players on the different competitive levels assume and the importance which they ascribe to
each role. Variations exist in the rituals that the rugby players on the different competitive levels perform before and during a game of
rugby. The degree to which situations are experienced as stressful differs across the three competitive levels. Across these levels, the use
of positive verbal and non-verbal expression is used more than negative expression. Across all three levels rugby players use emotional
suppression more than situational reappraisal as an emotional regulation strategy. Additional factors and the comparison thereof on
different competitive levels should be investigated in future studies.

Key words: Roles, rituals, emotional regulation, occupation, rugby.