Self-control, aggression and bullying of martial arts practitioners and non-martial arts practitioners: A comparative study and factor analysis

Background & Study Aim: Bullying is a common phenomenon among adolescents and can significantly affect their physical and men- tal health. Practicing martial arts to reduce bullying has been put forward publicly. However, there is a lack of comparative studies on the mental health of martial arts practitioners and non-martial arts practitioners. Therefore, the aim of the current study is knowledge about among practitioners and non-martial arts practi- tioners of likely differences in self-control, aggression, and bullying, and the knowledge of the influencing fac- tors on these phenomena. Material & Methods: This study included 775 adolescents (M = 13.48 +/- 1.11 years): 401 martial arts practitioners and 374 non-martial arts practitioners. Their mean average training year was 2.35 +/- 0.89 and we analysed the question- naires designed to assess their self-control, aggression and bullying. Semi-structured interviews were used to examine bullying, changes in personality, and attitudes toward bullying among martial arts practitioners. Results: Martial arts practitioners have higher levels of self-control and lower levels of aggression and bullying com- pared to non-martial arts practitioners. Different years and numbers of martial arts exercises had significant effects on self-control, aggression, and bullying in martial arts practicing adolescents. Martial arts practitio- ners have positive attitudes towards bullying and martial arts practice improves self-control and shapes pos- itive behaviour. Conclusions: We suggest that primary and secondary schools should pay attention to the years and number of martial arts exercise and encourage students to take part in martial arts exercise regularly, thereby enhancing self-control and decreasing their aggression and bullying.