Abstract
The four aims of this study were: (1) Qualitative data were used to identify the diverse content of values expressed by university student-athletes in their own words. (2) Gender differences in value–related factors were examined. (3) The relationship between value–related factors and well–being (subjective well–being and interdependent happiness) was examined. (4) The effects of value–related factors and gender on well–being (subjective and cooperative well–being) were examined. The participants of this study were athletes who were members of university athletics departments. Three measures of values were used in this study: the Personal Values Questionnaire–II, the Values Clarification Questionnaire, and the Japanese version of the Valuing Questionnaire. First, the analysis showed that 90 different values were obtained from the content of the open–ended statements. Second, differences between men and women were found in two value–related factors. Third, the relationship between value–related factors and well–being was examined, but overall, no significant differences were found between men and women. Moreover fourth, subjective well–being was influenced by perceptions of ‘Progress’ and ‘Awareness of Reinforcement,’ such as feeling more energized when acting towards that value.
