Abstract:
This study investigated whether relationships exist among, personal control, coping mechanism,
primary control, secondary control and superstitious beliefs. The participants were 375
Ghanaian student athletes (females =44%). They completed measures of self-reported
superstitious beliefs, personal control, coping mechanisms, primary and secondary control
strategies. The data were analyzed to evaluate the correlates of both positive and negative
superstitious beliefs and how constructs of personal control, coping mechanisms and control
strategies, predict positive and negative superstitious beliefs. The results indicated that personal
control, coping mechanisms and control strategies were predictors of negative and positive
superstitious beliefs. In the final model Exaggerated internal control, God-mediated control,
emotional support, and substance use were predictors of negative superstitions. Exaggerated
internal control, Substance use, Emotional support and Acceptance were predictors of positive
superstitions. Athletes may activate different types of superstitious beliefs to cope and gain
control in situations of uncertainty.
