Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between behavioral tendencies among female college athletes (n=639) in senior-junior relationships within athletic clubs and assumed competence arising from undervaluing others. The survey inquired about basic attributes (age, sport, years of experience, highest achievements), and implemented the senior-junior relationship scale in university athletic clubs, the assumedcompetence scale, and the self-esteem scale. Participants also reported the number of friends they currently had and their satisfaction with those friendships. The results of the analysis revealed no differences in ‘dominance and subordination’ among behavioral tendencies related to senior-junior relationships based on differences in sport type or performance level. However, tendencies for ‘fellowship,’ ‘leadership and followership,’ and ‘partnership’ were stronger among those involved in team sports, with no differences based on performance level. Athletes with high assumed competence, characterized by undervaluing others, had fewer significant friends and lower satisfaction with their friendships. Furthermore, these athletes showed weaker tendencies in the 3 behavioral aspects, except for ‘dominance and subordination’, indicating some deficiency in building and maintaining friendly and cooperative relationships between seniors and juniors. In summary, the present results indicate that behavioral tendencies related to senior-junior relationships among female college athletes vary according to the nature of the sport and the level of their assumed competence.
