School of Allied Health Sciences

The role of superstition among professional footballers in Ghana

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The role of superstition among professional footballers in Ghana Ofori, Patrick Kwaku; Biddle, Stuart; Lavallee, David Superstitious behavior and beliefs are evident in all sports. The present study examines the self-report of superstitious behavior among 120 male professional footballers in Ghana. The Superstitious Ritual Questionnaire and Sport Attributional Style Scale were the instruments used to measured superstitious behavior and attributional styles of elite Ghanaian footballers. Significant negative correlations (p<. 05) were found between number of rituals and scores for positive-internality (-0.27) and negative-internality (-0.17). A significant positive correlation was found between superstitious behaviour and positive-controlllability (0.20). Simple correlations and multiple regression showed that scores for attributional styles significantly but weakly predicted scores on the Superstition Ritual Questionnaire, accounting for 11% of the variance with the latter measured. This is important in understanding professional footballers‟ usage of superstitious rituals. Follow up work needs to address cross-cultural differences among Africans and Western professional athletes.

Predictors of Superstitious Beliefs

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Predictors of Superstitious Beliefs Ofori, Patrick Kwaku; Tod, David; Lavallee, David This study investigated whether relationships exist among, personal control, coping mechanism, primary control, secondary control and superstitious beliefs. The participants were 375 Ghanaian student athletes (females =44%). They completed measures of self-reported superstitious beliefs, personal control, coping mechanisms, primary and secondary control strategies. The data were analyzed to evaluate the correlates of both positive and negative superstitious beliefs and how constructs of personal control, coping mechanisms and control strategies, predict positive and negative superstitious beliefs. The results indicated that personal control, coping mechanisms and control strategies were predictors of negative and positive superstitious beliefs. In the final model Exaggerated internal control, God-mediated control, emotional support, and substance use were predictors of negative superstitions. Exaggerated internal control, Substance use, Emotional support and Acceptance were predictors of positive superstitions. Athletes may activate different types of superstitious beliefs to cope and gain control in situations of uncertainty.

An exploratory investigation of superstitious behaviours, coping, control strategies, and personal control in Ghanaian and British student- athletes

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

An exploratory investigation of superstitious behaviours, coping, control strategies, and personal control in Ghanaian and British student- athletes Ofori, Patrick Kwaku; Tod, David; Lavallee, David This study examined the relationships between primary and secondary control strategies, coping, and superstitious behaviour. Participants were 349 student-athletes from the UK and Ghana, consisting of 194 males and 155 females. The nationality breakdown was 177 British student-athletes and 172 Ghanaian student-athletes. Participants completed ﬁve inventories measuring superstitious behaviours, personal control, control strategies, coping skills, and social desirability. Sequential multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between these constructs. A 2 by 2 analysis of covariance was conducted to assess the main and interactive effects of gender and nationality on superstitious behaviour. Findings demonstrated that personal control, coping mechanisms, and control strategies predicted superstitious behaviour. The ﬁndings suggest that athletes may engage in superstitious behaviour as a coping mechanism and as a secondary control strategy to offer them a sense of being in control in stressful situations. The results suggest that Ghanaian student-athletes may engage in superstitious behaviour more than British student-athletes. Results are discussed in relation to previous research and practical implications are delineated.

A Book Review: Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

A Book Review: Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches Sarfo, Jacob Owusu; Ofori, Patrick Kwaku This paper presents a review on the textbook, ‘qualitative inquiry & research design: choosing among five approaches’. This book was written by John W. Creswell and published by Sage in 2013. The first and second editions of this book were published in 1998 and 2007 respectively. This third edition provides an effective tool for both students and researchers to make the best choice among the many qualitative methods. It is a book worth studying by all who want to develop a sound research career in pure qualitative or mixed research methods.