INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE SPANISH BASKETBALL PLAYERS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to describe the essential characteristics of loving bonds in female high performance basketball players. The sample consists of 64 active professional players between 18 and 35 years. The evaluation analyzes the characteristics of loving bonds. Descriptive statistical analysis and Square-Chi (χ²) comparative statistics show that players do not exhibit any normative development pattern in the formation of loving bonds. 84,4% of the players consider that their sexual orientation is determined by their emotional involvement and not by their sexual conduct, as it would be expected. 90.6% of the players are explicitly flexible in their sexual orientation throughout life. As a conclusion, the Women’s Basketball League may be an ecological niche in the development of loving bonds.