Behavior of athletes of different skill levels in conflict situations in life and sports

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the features of conflict situations in both sports and everyday life of athletes of various levels of qualification. Materials and methods. The study involved 68 athletes of various levels of qualification: masters of sports, masters of sports of international class, and honored masters of sports (MS, MSIC, and HMS). A questionnaire titled "Conflict Situations in Life and Sports" was used to collect empirical data, which included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. The results of the study and their discussion. Based on the content analysis of the respondents' open responses, a classification of conflict situations encountered by athletes of various skill levels was developed. Differences were identified in the types of conflicts, emotional involvement, and behavioral strategies: interpersonal and emotionally charged conflicts prevailed among KMS athletes, while institutional, professional, and internal conflicts were more common among highly skilled athletes. Highly skilled athletes tended to use constructive responses to conflict situations. Conclusions. The data obtained allow us to state that the level of an athlete's qualification is closely related to the typology and depth of the conflict, as well as to its perception and behavioral response. These differences allow us to consider the level of sports qualification as a factor that determines not only the form of the conflict, but also its depth, context, and methods of resolution. Conclusion. Based on the analysis of detailed descriptions of conflict situations, it was revealed that CSCs are prone to avoidance strategies, emotional responses, and passivity, while highly qualified athletes are prone to dialogue, argumentation, compromise, and appeal to norms. These differences highlight the dependence of conflict resolution strategies on the level of sports qualification and confirm the relevance of including psychological and conflict resolution training in the sports education system.