Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part B (2025)

This study aimed to identify the levels of positive personality strengths and psychological defense mechanisms among youth football players in Nineveh Governorate clubs, as well as to examine the relationship between these two psychological constructs. The research population comprised 16 football clubs in Nineveh Governorate. The research sample was randomly selected from the research population and included 30 players for scale reliability testing, 20 players for the exploratory study, 250 players as a construction sample, and 50 players as an application sample. After excluding 13 players due to incomplete responses, the final discriminant sample consisted of 187 players. The researcher employed a descriptive correlational approach, which was appropriate for the research objectives. The research instruments included two scales: the Positive Personality Strengths Scale and the Psychological Defense Mechanisms Scale. The psychometric properties (validity, reliability, and objectivity) of both scales were established. The researcher concluded that the research sample generally demonstrated positive personality strengths above the hypothetical mean and psychological defense mechanisms below the hypothetical mean, indicating that participants generally possessed a favorable degree of positivity that positively influenced their athletic performance. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was found between the research variables (positive personality strengths and psychological defense mechanisms) among youth football players in Nineveh Governorate clubs. The researcher recommends enhancing scientific research activities in the field of positive personality strengths and psychological defense mechanisms and their implications for sports activities in Nineveh Governorate clubs, as well as conducting experimental research to strengthen positive personality traits and reduce maladaptive psychological defense mechanisms among players in the governorate's clubs.