Evaluation of psychological empowerment and psychological safety among male volleyball players in Palestine

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119426

Keywords:

Psychological empowerment, psychological safety, volleyball, Palestine

Abstract

Introduction: Psychological factors play a vital role in team sports, particularly volleyball, where performance depends on technical, tactical, and psychological dimensions.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate psychological empowerment and psychological safety among male volleyball players in Palestine, examine the relationship between them, and identify differences according to selected variables.

Methodology: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 105 male players from Premier League and First Division volleyball clubs in Palestine, representing about 42% of the study population. Two validated scales were applied after translation and verification of their psychometric properties.

Results: The results showed a very high level of psychological empowerment, with a relative weight of 84.80%, and a high level of psychological safety, with a relative weight of 79.60%. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between psychological empowerment and psychological safety (r = 0.60), with psychological empowerment explaining 37.9% of the variance in psychological safety. No significant differences were found in psychological empowerment according to club level, while significant differences appeared according to playing experience, academic qualification, international participation, and player role. No significant differences were found in psychological safety according to the examined variables.

Discussion: The findings reflect supportive team environments characterized by confidence, belonging, and communication.

Conclusion: Psychological empowerment is an important predictor of psychological safety among male volleyball players in Palestine. Coaches and sport psychologists should adopt empowerment-based strategies to enhance players’ performance and well-being.

Author Biographies

  • Abdelnaser QAdumi, An-Najah National UNIVERSITY

    Abdelnaser A. Qadumi, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine

    Prof. Dr. Abdelnaser Abdelrahim Mohammed Qudumi

    Professor of Exercise Physiology, Measurement, and Statistics Department of Sport Sciences – Faculty of Humane Sciences An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine Professor since 2007.

    https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abdelnaser-Qadumi?ev=hdr_xprf

    Email: aqadumi@najah.edu.

    Professor Qudumi earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Jordan, graduating first in rank in both degrees, and obtained his PhD in Sport Sciences from the Romanian Academy of Physical Education and Sports (ANEFS). With more than three decades of academic and administrative experience, Professor Qudumi has successfully combined scientific excellence with university leadership and educational policy development. Professor Qudumi has held numerous senior leadership positions, most notably serving as President of Al-Istiqlal University in Jericho (2014–2018) and Vice President for Academic Affairs. At An-Najah National University, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education, Director of the Measurement and Evaluation Center, and Head of the Department of Physical Education. At the national level, he played a pivotal role as Head of the National Team for Physical Education Curriculum Development in Palestine, and as a member of the Palestinian Higher Education Council, the Council for Innovation and Excellence (appointed by Presidential Decree), as well as national Quality Assurance and Accreditation bodies. Academically, Professor Qudumi is recognized as one of the leading scholars in his field. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific research papers in reputable international and regional journals and has supervised over 200 master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. He has also contributed significantly to academic advancement by participating in the promotion of 57 faculty members to the ranks of Associate Professor and Full Professor, both locally and across the Arab world. In addition, Professor Qudumi has led and participated in more than 40 scientific conferences, serving as head of preparatory committees, chair or member of scientific committees, keynote speaker, presenter, researcher, and has headed several official academic delegations. His editorial contributions include serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Al-Istiqlal University Journal for Research and Studies and as a member of the editorial boards of indexed academic journals, including the An-Najah Research Journal for Humanities (Scopus-indexed).In recognition of his outstanding academic and scientific contributions, Professor Qudumi has received several prestigious national and Arab awards, most notably the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Young Arab Scientists, the Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Award for Scientific Research in Sports Management at the Arab World level, and the Certificate and Medal of Scientific Excellence. Professor Dr. Abdelnaser Qudumi represents a distinguished model of an academic leader whose contributions have had a lasting impact on higher education development, scientific research, and institutional capacity building in Palestine and the Arab region. 

  • Hussein Yousef, Al-Istiqlal University

    Department and Lecturer of Sports Training at Al-Istiqlal University, Assistant Professor who taught many courses at the BA and MA programs.

  • Qais Nairat, An-Najah National University
    • Qais M. Nairat, An-Najah National University

    Specialist in Physical Rehabilitation and author of numerous scientific publications in the fields of sports injuries, rehabilitation sciences, and health, published in peer-reviewed journals with recognized impact factors.

  • Rawand Qutob, An-Najah National University
    • Rawand K. Qutob, An-Najah National University

    Assistant Professor and Head of the Sports Sciences Department at An-Najah University, PhD in School Sports (Spain, 2021). Researchers and community activists engaged in conferences, seminars, and women’s and school sports initiatives.

  • Sulaiman Amad, An-Najah National University

    Dr.Sulaiman H. Amad, An-Najah National University

    Assistant Professor of Sports Sciences at An-Najah University and Sports Facilities Coordinator, PhD in Sports Performance Analysis (Spain, 2021). Head of PFA North Branch, municipal council member, researcher, and community sports leader promoting sport as a national culture.

  • Mohammad Qadoumi, An-Najah National University
    • Mohammad A. Qadoumi, An-Najah National University

    Mohammad Qadoumi, master’s degree in motor control and research in biomechanic, Paris Sud- 11 University in France since in 2010. I have been working at An-Najah National University as a lecturer in Kinesiology and Biomechanics in the Department of Sports Sciences since 2010, and I have published at least 20 scientific papers in various fields to date.

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Published

01-06-2026

Issue

Vol. 79 (2026)

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Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Abdelnaser QAdumi, Hussein Yousef, Qais Nairat, Rawand Qutob, Sulaiman Amad, Mohammad Qadoumi, Ali Qadoume

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How to Cite

QAdumi, A., Yousef, H., Nairat, Q., Qutob, R., Amad, S., Qadoumi, M., & Qadoume, A. (2026). Evaluation of psychological empowerment and psychological safety among male volleyball players in Palestine. Retos, 79, 1068-1081. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119426