Investigation of Ruminative Thinking Levels of Football Referees

Authors : Atilla Pulur, Hüseyin Mete Gündoğdu, Fatih Gündoğdu

Pages : 394-401

Doi:10.18826/useeabd.1798720

View : 36 | Download : 144

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the levels of ruminative thinking among football referees, which are believed to potentially have a negative impact on their performance, and to compare these levels based on various demographic variables. Method: The population of the study consists of active football referees who served under the Turkish Football Federation during the 2023–2024 season, while the sample group comprises 428 active referees randomly selected from within this population. Data collection instruments included a “Demographic Information Form” and the “Sport Competition Rumination Scale.” In the data analysis, Independent Samples T-Test was used to compare two independent groups, and One Way ANOVA was applied to compare more than two independent groups. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.01. Results: The analysis revealed that female referees had higher mean rumination scores compared to male referees. It was also found that as the age range of the referees increased, their average rumination scores showed a decreasing trend. Furthermore, younger referees at the early stages of their careers exhibited higher average rumination scores compared to more experienced referees. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were found in rumination scores based on referees’ educational level. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, referees with high levels of ruminative thinking may be at risk in terms of their professional careers and may therefore require psychological support. These results highlight the importance of addressing cognitive-emotional factors within the scope of referee development and support programs.
Keywords : Spor, Futbol, Hakem, Ruminasyon

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