ATHLETIC COPING SKILLS AND MOOD STATE RESPONSE OF COLLEGIATE MALE GOLFERS

Abstract

693 This study examined athletic coping skills and mood states of collegiate golf athletes not previously investigated. Following written informed consent, nine males (mean age 19.8 ± 1.3 yrs) comprising a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I golf team were administered the following self-response psychometric inventories consisting of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory [ACSI-28; coping with adversity (COPE), peaking under pressure (PEAK), goal setting/mental preparation (GOAL), concentration (CONC), freedom from worry (FREE), confidence and achievement motivation (CONF), and coachability (COAC)] and the Profile of Mood States [POMS; tension (TEN), depression (DEP), anger (ANG), vigor (VIG), fatigue (FAT), confusion (CON), and total mood disturbance (TMD)]. Data were analyzed by class/level of collegiate experience (freshman/sophomore, junior/senior). Results (mean± SEM) indicated a trend for the more experienced golfers(juniors/seniors) to exhibit greater COPE (9.8 ± 0.7 vs 7.4 ± 1.3), GOAL (9.8 ± 0.9 vs 5.8 ± 1.0), CON (9.8 ± 1.1 vs 8.0 ± 0.6), and CONF (11.5 ± 0.4 vs 8.6 ± 1.1) than freshmen/sophomores. The less experienced athletes, however, exhibited a more pronounced mood disturbance in TEN (8.2 ± 1.8 vs 6.8 ± 2.4), DEP(6.8 ± 2.9 vs 3.8 ± 1.9), FAT (7.0 ± 2.1 vs 5.5 ± 1.3), CON (5.8 ± 1.3 vs 3.3 ± 1.7), and TMD (18.8 ± 9.6 vs 11.3 ± 11.5) than more experienced golfers. In conclusion, distinct differences exist between golfers across class/level of collegiate experience. At this time, these athletes exhibit unique profiles when compared to other traditional athletes.