Sport Mont | 2026
Authors: El-Kailani G.; Zureigat A.; Atiyat K.; Alqasem N.; A’mir O.; AL-Mersal M.; Fattah O.
DOI: 10.26773/smj.260212
Journal: Sport Mont
Year: 2026
Publisher: Montenegrin Sports Academy
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between body mass index, self-esteem, and stress among female handball players. In addition, it explores the differences in the level of stress and Self-esteem according to body mass index (BMI) and years of training. A total of 122 elite handball players participated in this study, with age, height, body mass, and body mass index assessed and expressed as mean ± standard deviation: 21.5±3.5 years, 1.69±0.09 m, 65.5±4.47 kg, and 22.94±3.52 kg/m², respectively. The applied the Self-esteem test (SEs) and perceived stress test (PS-s) to obtain the study data. The study's objectives were achieved by applying means, standard deviations, and one-way ANOVA analysis, with a confidence level of 95%. The study results revealed that a moderate level of the PS-s test (14.31) according to the scoring PS-s test, and there are statistically significant differences in PS-s according to the BMI variable and in favour of the normal category (12.95). Simultaneously, the level of perceived stress increased with the increase in the BMI category. However, the self-esteem level was high in general (32.50). Notably, all BMI categories achieved high levels of self-esteem with an advantage over the normal weight category (35.98). The current study showed a statistically significant association between BMI and stress level (r=0.253). Based on the results, further studies can focus on gender and play position variables. © 2026, Montenegrin Sports Academy. All rights reserved.
categories; female athletes; play position; self-concept; sport; years of training