Exploring the Relationship between Body Awareness, Rumination, and Reflection in University Athletes

Abstract

Problems related to athletesʼ mental health have been observed recently. Private self-consciousness concerning psychological problems can be divided into rumination and reflection. According to previous research, athletes that reflect on their issues have more positive mental health outcomes. Moreover, athletesʼ body awareness can help attenuate rumination and promote reflection. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the influence of body awareness on rumination and reflection. We conducted an online survey of 375 members of a university athletic team. The survey used the Japanese version of the Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire and the Body Awareness scale. The results showed that “Bodily Distress” was positively associated with rumination, while “Awareness of Bodily Feeling” was positively associated with reflection. Reducing athletesʼ awareness of bodily distress and increasing awareness of bodily feeling leads to attenuation of rumination and promotes reflection. The effects of body awareness on rumination and reflection varied by gender and years of competition. Therefore, it is necessary to account for gender and years of competition when conducting a psychological evaluation of athletes to attenuate rumination and promote reflection.