Sports & Passive Aggressive Behavior

Athletic competition has many physical and psychological benefits for the athletes who participate. Not only can an athlete gain physical strength, endurance, flexibility and speed, but he also may increase in character. By working as a team player and learning to follow instructions, an athlete can overcome passive aggressive and other destructive tendencies.

  1. Significance

    • Passive aggressive behavior is common in young people and often thought of as less problematic than aggressive behavior. The subtle nature of the condition can go undetected, and yet its long-term consequences can be severe. Passive aggressive behavior is an outward compliance with the rules and expectations of authority while inwardly maintaining a defiant, hostile or angry attitude. According to the MedlinePlus website, this is no longer recognized as a personality disorder but rather a symptom of other conditions.

    Function

    • Sports and athletic competition can help deal with the inner resentment to authority that the passive aggressive person feels. By creating bonds with teammates and forming a relationship with the coach, the passive aggressive person is drawn away from his own ego and sense of self-importance. What matters is the team and defeating the opponent, not his own individual self-centered interests.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Young athletes can benefit from strong coaching in a variety of sports to build character early and prevent or resolve any developing passive aggressive behavior. In flag or tackle football, coaches can encourage athletes to run back to the huddle and to avoid excessive celebration of individual accomplishments such as touchdown dances and unsportsmanlike fist pumping after a key tackle. Coaches should guide celebration toward group efforts.

      Because at the root of passive aggressive behavior is the desire to avoid conflict, sports such as football, hockey and wrestling allow for an open expression of aggression. Sports give athletes a controlled environment in which to release anger. When disappointments or conflicts occur within the team, each athlete can be taught to accept responsibility and not blame others. By realizing that everyone makes mistakes, passive aggressive anger is less likely to simmer.