Negative mood regulation expectancies and sports performance: an investigation involving professional cricketers

Abstract

Objectives: To test whether the performance of professional sports competitors is related to their expectancy of improving an unpleasant mood. Method: Two related studies of professional cricketers were conducted. In Study One, 46 players completed a battery of questionnaire scales, including a measure of negative mood regulation (NMR) expectancy. In Study Two, 19 participants from Study One took part in a time-sampling study in which they rated their mood on a pocket computer throughout a competitive match. Results: The results from Study One showed that NMR was significantly correlated with players’ batting average for the season. In contrast, reflexivity, well-being, and age were significantly associated with NMR but not with batting average. The results from Study Two showed that players who had greater NMR had significantly higher ratings for happy mood, smaller negative changes in happy mood, and greater batting averages during the match. Conclusions: Results of regression analysis supported an explanation of the association between NMR and performance in terms of a mediating effect of happy mood. Overall, the findings suggest that NMR expectancy can facilitate professional sports performance.  2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.