Abstract:
The purpose is to develop a strategy for empirical research on self-regulating mental states of athletes with
disabilities; to identify differences in the structure of self-regulating mental states in the male (Group 1) and
female (Group 2) samples. Research methods: psychological content parameters of self-regulation were
determined using reliable and valid psycho-diagnostic instruments tested in empirical research on sport
psychology. Ranking by a module value of the research parameter (Rg) was applied; factor analysis with the
method ANOVA with Varimax rotation was used; correlation between the parameters was determined by means
of Spearmen’ coefficient (rs); significant differences were identified with Student’s t-test. Results. The study
substantiates a strategy for empirical research on self-regulating mental states of athletes with disabilities. The
ranking of the parameters under study by the level of significance of correlations with self-esteem was
performed. Significant differences (р>.05) were found by two content parameters of self-regulation: process (t=-
1.2006) and result (t=1.1045). Two graphical factor structures of self-regulating mental states of athletes with
disabilities by gender differentiation were created. It was established that the most loaded factors in the male
sample (Group 1) are F1 “Value-meaningful” (DG1=22.67%) and F2 “Result-motivated” (DG2=16.23%). It was
found that the most loaded factors in the female sample (Group 2) are F1 “Procedural-value” (DG1=23.88%) and
F2 “Pragmatically-oriented” (DG2=14.34%). The study substantiates that dominants for athletes with disabilities
in Group 1 are meaning-of-life in sporting activities and stable motivation for success. The research emphasizes
that a procedural component of sporting activities dominates in female athletes. The smallest number of
correlations was registered in Group 1: F4G1 – “Self-worth” and Group 2: F5G2 – “Reflexive”, they are the most
independent and dangerous ones. Female athletes with the above dominating mental state are too much focused
on their “Ego”, that reduces concentration on training and competition activities. Female athletes with the self-
regulating state “Reflexive” spend too much time analyzing their shortcomings, they are too much focused on
correction of their mistakes and on an excessively high level of self-criticism that does not contribute to
achievement of maximum sport results. Conclusions. The obtained empirical results should be operationalized
into tactical preparation for training staff and male and female athletes with disabilities. Differentiation of self-
regulating mental states can be a considerable tactical advantage in sporting activities of people with disabilities.
