The Influence of Team Sports Participation on Conflict Management Ability Among University Students: The Mediating Role of Communication Skills

This study investigated the relationship between team sports participation and conflict management ability among university students, with a focus on the mediating role of communication skills. A total of 137 students from universities across South Korea participated in the study. Measures included team sports experience, communication skills, conflict management styles, and perceived benefits of team sports. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 for descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, t-tests, and regression analysis. The results indicated no significant gender differences in communication skills or conflict management ability, suggesting that team sports exert similar effects regardless of gender. However, students with more than one year of team sports experience demonstrated significantly higher levels of communication and conflict management abilities—particularly in problem-solving—compared to those with less experience. Total duration of participation showed a significant positive correlation with both communication skills and conflict management ability. A significant positive correlation was also found between communication skills and conflict management ability. Regression analysis revealed that total participation duration significantly predicted both communication and conflict management abilities. However, communication skills did not mediate the relationship between team sports participation and conflict management ability. This suggests that while communication skills are positively associated with both variables, they do not explain the mechanism linking team sports participation to conflict management. These findings underscore the value of sustained team sports engagement in enhancing university students’ interpersonal competencies. Furthermore, the study supports the integration of team-based activities into counseling and group programs as practical tools for improving students’ social and conflict resolution skills.