Construction of a Mind Wandering Scale for Tennis Referees in Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25130/sc.2026.17.27Keywords:
- mental wandering - referees - Attention - PersonalityAbstract
The study aimed to Construction of a Mind Wandering Scale for Tennis Referees in Iraq
. (Tennis,), and to identify the level of the cognitive wandering domains (task-related and non-task-related) according to the refereeing grades, namely (International, First Grade, Second Grade). To achieve the study's objective, the researcher adopted the descriptive method in a survey style. The research population comprised (140) accredited referees for the (2025-2026) sports season, and the scale was administered to a standardization sample of (120) referees, from the total population, and after statistically processing the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the results showed that the distribution of the sample's scores was normal and moderate. The study also found a statistically significant difference in "non-task-related mental wandering". and in favor of second-level judges compared to international and first-level judges, which indicates that international and first-level judges have a lower level of distraction and a greater ability to control attention and exert cognitive control. Conversely, the results showed statistically significant differences in the area of "task-related mental wandering" In favour of the international and first-grade referees compared to the second-grade referees, which is attributed to the former's investment in task-related thoughts and their rapid mental mechanisms for reviewing and making accurate decisions, Based on these findings, the study recommended that the scale and its standardised levels be adopted by sports federations and arbitration committees in the evaluation and classification of referees, along with the design of psychological and cognitive training programmes specifically aimed at second-tier referees to reduce task-unrelated mind-wandering
References
1. Jasim, Z. K. (2024). Construction and standardization of a cognitive engagement scale and its relationship to motor routine performance in rhythmic gymnastics. Journal of Studies and Research in Physical Education, 34(3), 304–322.
2. Al-Hilfi, A., & Al-Saadi, A. (2023). Standardization of the psychological resilience scale for Iraqi Premier League football referees. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Baghdad.
3. Al-Khafaji, G., & Al-Shammari, M. (2025). Construction of a psychological attitude scale toward practicing physical exercises available on social media in the Iraqi environment. Misan Journal of Physical Education Sciences, 30(4).
4. Othman, S. (2024). Mind wandering as a mediating variable between metacognitive awareness and goal orientation among a sample of first-year secondary school students. Journal of the Faculty of Education, Tanta University, 40(2, Part 2), 6.
5. Abdulrahman, S. (1998). Psychological measurement: Theory and practice. Amman, Jordan: Dar Al-Fikr.
6. Abdel Hafiz, I. M., & Hussein, M. (2000). Scientific research methods and statistical analysis in educational, psychological, and sports fields. Cairo, Egypt: Markaz Al-Kitab Publishing.
7. Al-Otaibi, S. M. (2020). Predicting mind wandering in light of meta-learning and cognitive holding power among university students. University of Baghdad Digital Repository, 1–45.
8. Al-Hilali, H. A. (2026). A comparative study of selected mental abilities among referees of selected team sports. Journal of Studies and Research in Physical Education, 36(2), 162–173.
9. Li, Y., et al. (2024). Mind wandering is not always harmful in sports: The role of its content. PLOS ONE, 19(8).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 خنساء موسى جواد كاظم، عمر فاضل يحيى
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© THIS IS AN OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE UNDER THE CC BY LICENSE. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/