Analysis of the relationship between personality traits and leadership characteristics of handball coaches of school teams in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits and leadership characteristics of handball coaches of school teams in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Method: The sample was composed of 31 male individuals (41.71 ± 9.61 years) registered as coaches at the Federation of Student Sports of Rio de Janeiro (FEERJ). The data collection instruments were the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: The Pearson correlation test showed a moderate negative correlation between working time as a coach and coach ages and Psychoticism (P); a moderate positive correlation between Extroversion (E) and Positive Feedback (PF) behavior; a moderate positive correlation between Neuroticism (N) and PF; a moderate positive correlation between N and autocratic behavior. The ANOVA revealed that coaches in the infantile category exhibited higher levels of N than those in the juvenile category. The Social Support (SS) given by the coaches of the junior categories presented superior levels to those of the juvenile category. The SS of the coaches of the infantile category showed higher levels than those of the juvenile category. Conclusion: It was concluded that certain personality traits are associated with the leadership characteristics of the investigated coaches.