Normative Study and Comparative Analysis of Psychological Skills in Iranian Handball Players Based on Age, Gender, Skill Level, and Playing Position

Shahabi Kaseb, Mohammad Reza; Dasjerdi, Fahimeh; Stiri, Zahra; Khoshnevis Zarch, Aliakbar; Mohammad Taghi, Mahya; Naeim Abadi, Mohammad

doi:10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.570317.1157

Normative Study and Comparative Analysis of Psychological Skills in Iranian Handball Players Based on Age, Gender, Skill Level, and Playing Position

10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.570317.1157

Volume 5, Issue 3
Summer 2025

Iranian Journal of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

mohammad reza shahabi kaseb ¹

fahimeh dasjerdi ²

zahra stiri ¹

aliakbar khoshnevis zarch ³

mahya mohammad taghi ⁴

mohammad naeim abadi ²

¹ Khorasan Razavi – Sabzevar – Tohid Shahr – Hakim Sabzevari University Campus

² Department of Motor Behavior - Faculty of Sport Sciences - Hakim Sabzevari University

³ Department of Sports Management - Faculty of Physical Education - University of Tehran - Tehran

⁴ Department of physical education , Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The current study aimed to establish norms and conduct a comparative analysis of mental skills among Iranian handball players according to gender, age, skill level, and playing position. The research was applied in purpose and employed a descriptive-survey field design. The study population included all handball players competing in various Iranian leagues in 2023. Data were collected from 260 handball players who completed the AMSAT-3 Mental Skills Questionnaire through online platforms. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 28 at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results indicated that male players, athletes aged over 35, national team members, and pivot players consistently obtained higher scores across all percentile ranks of mental skills. Comparative findings further revealed superior mental skills among male, national, and pivot players, whereas players under 15 years demonstrated significantly lower mental skills.

These findings can provide a foundation for psychological talent identification in handball and underscore the importance of mental skills training and tailored psychological interventions based on the personal and positional characteristics of Iranian handball players.

Keywords

Norming

Mental Skills

Sports Psychology

Handball Players

Subjects