Correlation between Ethical Sensitivity as Well as Doping Attitude and Dispositions in Taekwondo Kyorugi Athletes: Athlete Career and National Team Moderation Effect

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the effect of ethical sensitivity on doping attitude and dispositions for Taekwondo athletes, as well as whether there was a difference depending on the athlete's career and national team status. METHODS: Overall, 331 Korean adult Taekwondo athletes were enrolled. Data were collected using sports ethical sensitivity and Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS) tools as the research tools. For data processing, frequency analysis was performed to confirm demographic characteristics, and the fitness index was calculated by applying the Rasch model to confirm the validity and reliability of ethical sensitivity and PEAS. An independent sample t-test was performed to confirm the difference between ethical sensitivity and doping attitude and dispositions according to demographic characteristics. Pairwise parameter comparison values were used using multi-group analysis of path analysis to confirm the effect of ethical sensitivity on PEAS and the moderating effect was calculated. RESULTS: First, according to the demographic characteristics of Taekwondo athletes, there were statistically significant differences in ethical sensitivity and PEAS only by gender. Second, as ethical sensitivity factors, both intentional behavior factors and intentional collusion factors had statistically significant effect on PEAS. Third, in the effect of ethical sensitivity on doping attitude and dispositions, there was no moderating effect of athlete experience and national representative status. CONCLUSION: Ethical sensitivity has a positive linear correlation with PEAS. In other words, enhancing the ethical sensitivity of sports players will enhance athletes’ ethical consciousness and prevent unethical behavior, and furthermore, doping.