Sport Anxiety Research Articles

Collegiate Athletes’ Cognitive Beliefs Related to Setback Anxiety and Rumination in Sport

ABSTRACT Setbacks are common occurrences in sport. Recently, setbacks such as injuries and deselection have been accompanied, and confounded, by setbacks related to COVID-19. How students manage a setback may depend on the interaction of two control beliefs: primary control (PC) to directly influence the setback and secondary control (SC) to adjust to it. Purpose: This study investigates the relationships between athletes’ PC and SC and two important sport setback-related outcomes—anxiety and rumination. Method: We employed a cross-sectional design examining collegiate athletes in the USA and Canada (N = 200; M age = 20.9 years, 143 women, 52 men, 3 non-binary, 2 did not disclose). Using regression tests controlling for setback severity, we examined the interaction effects of athletes’ PC and SC beliefs relative to setbacks, on the anxiety and rumination variables. Results: We found SC beliefs were beneficial to setback-related anxiety and rumination. A significant interaction indicated that particularly when PC was low, SC had negative associations with setback-related anxieties about letting others down (β = –.45, p < .001) and experiencing pain (β = –.37, p < .001). Conclusion: The findings suggest SC beliefs are important for managing setbacks—specifically for attenuating harmful rumination, and specific setback anxieties. We discuss the possibility of enhancing SC beliefs for combatting sport setbacks through control-enhancing interventions as a direction for future research.

Understanding sport anxiety among competitive athletes: the role of shame, fear of self-compassion and self-criticism

ABSTRACT Self-compassion interventions have shown positive results in sporting contexts (e.g., lower levels of shame, self-criticism, and sport anxiety), yet athletes seem to be particularly resistant to embracing this attitude. The current study aimed to explore the association between athletes’ shame and anxiety through fear of self-compassion and self-criticism. Further, this study sought to explore differences in the mentioned variables regarding athletes’ sex and competitive level. A self-report questionnaire was conducted including athletes’ versions of the scales to assess shame, fear of self-compassion, self-criticism, and sport anxiety. The sample comprised of 258 Portuguese adult athletes (53.3% females; 47.7% males), with a mean age of 21.65 (SD = 3.49), currently competing in different sports and at varying levels. Results suggested that, when compared to males, female athletes presented higher levels of sport-specific shame, self-criticism, and anxiety, but no significant differences were found in fear of self-compassion. Also, no significant differences in the study variables were found regarding competitive level. A path analysis showed that, when controlling for the effect of age and years of practice, athletes’ shame had a direct effect on sport anxiety severity, and an indirect effect through increased fear of self-compassion and higher levels of self-criticism. Results confirmed the plausibility of the tested model, which accounted for 48% of sport anxiety’s variance. The results highlighted the importance of further understanding the role of fear of self-compassion on athletes’ mental health, as well as differences between male and female athletes in competitive sport settings.

Effects of mindfulness-based programs on competitive anxiety in sports: A meta-analysis

Effects of mindfulness-based programs on competitive anxiety in sports: A meta-analysis

Cross-cultural comparison of sports anxiety among Indian and Polish sports players in a post-COVID world: a pilot study

Cross-cultural comparison of sports anxiety among Indian and Polish sports players in a post-COVID world: a pilot study

Mindfulness and Psychological Inflexibility in Portuguese Adolescent Athletes: A Novel Framework for Understanding the Link Between Shame and Sports Anxiety

This study aimed to test a comprehensive model in adolescent athletes that explores the effect of shame on sports anxiety and whether psychological inflexibility and mindfulness influence this association. The sample study included 210 young Portuguese athletes from different competitive sports. The path analysis results confirmed the adequacy of the proposed model, which explained 49% of the variance in sports anxiety. Results demonstrated that athletes who experienced higher levels of shame tended to exhibit elevated levels of sports anxiety through lower levels of mindfulness and higher psychological inflexibility. The study offers new empirical data that may be relevant for clinical and sport psychology practitioners. These findings seem to underline the importance of addressing shame and, consequently, sports anxiety in adolescent athletes by developing greater psychological flexibility and, inherently, more mindfulness skills among adolescent athletes who are in a phase of their lives where sport can play a crucial role.

Hitting boundaries: Contract type, playing experience, non-cognitive skills, and sport anxiety in elite women cricketers.

This paper examined the psychological impact of contextual influences (i.e., contract type and playing experience) on sport anxiety in elite women cricketers participating in The Hundred. A sample of 71 elite female cricketers playing during the 2021-2022 season took part. Forty-nine of the sample (69%) held professional contracts, and 22 (31%) had yet to sign a professional contract. Participants provided details about their contract type and playing experience and completed self-report measures assessing sport anxiety, mental toughness, and general self-efficacy. Since mental toughness and self-efficacy are non-cognitive constructs, which buffer competitive trait anxiety, analysis controlled for these variables. Multivariate analyses of covariance examined sport anxiety scores among participants in relation to Hundred matches played (either 0, 1-10, or more than 10) and contract type (whether participants had a professional contract in place or not). Subfactors of Worry, Somatic, and Confusion assessed sports anxiety. No significant main effects existed. However, alongside a significant interaction, a covariate mental toughness effect occurred. Examination of the interaction revealed Worry scores were lower in cricketers who were yet to play a Hundred match who had not received a professional contract. Furthermore, Worry and Somatic scores were higher in cricketers that had played more than 10 Hundred matches and had not received a professional contract. These findings have important implications for the development of elite women cricketers. Particularly, they highlight the need to differentially support players through their career progression.

Using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to Overcome Distractive Overthinking With a High School Baseball Player

The present paper outlines a case study in sport psychology service delivery provided to a 16-year-old high school baseball player. The client reported experiencing distraction from overthinking in training and competition, which hindered his concentration and performance. An acceptance and commitment therapy intervention was implemented over 10 sessions across a 5-month period. The aim of the intervention was to overcome anxiety by encouraging acceptance of unhelpful thoughts, rather than changing or removing them, and helping the client focus on moving toward the athlete he wanted to be. This case offers a novel contribution to the wider literature by reporting an acceptance and commitment therapy intervention addressing performance anxiety in sport. We report how psychological flexibility was achieved through exercises to “unhook” the client from his thoughts around perfection and self-imposed pressure. Reflections from the client and practitioner capture the evaluation of the service delivery process.

From Pressure to Breaking Point: Exploring Sport Motivation, Big Five Personality Traits, and Sport Anxiety as Antecedents of Burnout in University Athletes

From Pressure to Breaking Point: Exploring Sport Motivation, Big Five Personality Traits, and Sport Anxiety as Antecedents of Burnout in University Athletes

Competitive Anxiety and Mood States in High-Performance Cuban Student Athletes

Background. The study of competitive anxiety and its relationship with mood states in high-performance athletes is relevant for predicting performance and enabling timely interventions to ensure successful outcomes in competitions. Due to the complex psychological demands arising from dual careers, the study of competitive anxiety and mood states contributes valuable insights into the emotional well-being of these student athletes. Objective. To examine and describe competitive anxiety and mood states in a sample of high-performance Cuban university athletes across different sports and genders. Design. A descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted involving 46 Cuban student athletes from national teams across 16 sports and included both male and female athletes, with an average chronological age of 20.70 years and 6.98 years of experience in a high-performance sport. The Competitive Sport Anxiety Inventory and Brunel Mood Scale were administered in their Spanish versions. The data were examined using descriptive statistics analysis including the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results. Although no statistically significant differences were found in competitive anxiety and mood states in relation to gender and type of sport, female athletes tend to present higher mean scores in competitive anxiety and negative mood states. Additionally, female athletes in team sports experienced slightly more intense emotions. Anxiety shows positive correlations with tension, depression, and vigour, suggesting its influence on certain mood states. Conclusion. The results indicate that, in general, the intensity of certain moods in Cuban university student athletes is influenced by levels of competitive anxiety. An increase in anxiety during competition can lead to heightened tension, depression, and vigour, with no significant differences observed between female and male athletes or based on the type of sport practiced.

The Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Disorders, Anxiety and Body Awareness in Elite Athletes

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the most common musculoskeletal disorders in athletes and to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal complaints and sport-related anxiety and body awareness. Methods: This study, which was designed using the relational screening method as a quantitative research, was conducted using the online survey method (via Google Forms). The study included 80 athletes aged 18-35 years, who were actively involved in elite level sport. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal disorders, the Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) to assess anxiety, and the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) to assess body awareness. Results: There was a significant difference in somatic anxiety levels between the athletes who experienced musculoskeletal pain and those who did not (p&amp;lt;0.05). The somatic anxiety levels of athletes with musculoskeletal disorders were found to be higher than those without musculoskeletal disorders. A weak correlation at a high level of significance was found between athletes' somatic anxiety levels and the number of areas of complaint reported in the last 12 months and athletes' somatic anxiety levels (p&amp;lt;0.01). With the body awareness status of the athletes; while a positive significant weak level relationship was found with somatic anxiety level (p&amp;lt;0.05), a negative negative relationship was found with concentration disorganisation at a high level of significance ( p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that athletes with musculoskeletal disorders had higher levels of somatic anxiety and that the number of regions in which the athlete experienced complaints was related to the level of somatic anxiety; there was no relationship between body awareness levels and musculoskeletal complaints. A multidisciplinary study with a psychological perspective is important for the clinical care and support of elite athletes in different sports.

Elit Sporcuların Akıl Dışı Performans İnançları ile Sporda Kaygı Seviyeleri Arasındaki İlişkilerin İncelenmesi

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between irrational performance beliefs and anxiety levels in elite athletes. The research was conducted with the voluntary participation of 285 male and female elite athletes between the ages of 15 and 55, During the research process, athletes' irrational performance beliefs and anxiety levels in sports were investigated. For this purpose, the Irrational Performance Beliefs inventory-2 and the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 were used. Athletes' anxiety levels and irrational performance beliefs were examined considering gender and sport type variables. One-way ANOVA test was used for comparative analysis, and Pearson Correlation analysis was employed for relational examinations. The findings revealed that female athletes were more anxious. Furthermore, in the examination conducted based on sports disciplines, it was found that the differences between athletes' anxiety levels and irrational performance beliefs varied depending on the sport type. in the overall examination, significant relationships were found between athletes' anxiety levels and irrational performance beliefs. in conclusion, athletes' anxiety levels affect their irrational performance beliefs, and this relationship differs among genders and sports disciplines.

Anxiety in Volleyball: Gender Differences During Competition

This study aimed to explore distinctions between male and female volleyball players in terms of various sub-domains of the sports anxiety scale and overall anxiety. A total of 126 female and 55 male volleyball players from different State teams in India were chosen using a convenient random sampling technique during the 47th Junior National Volleyball Championship of India. To gauge the anxiety levels of the volleyball players, the researcher utilized the modified version (The Sport Anxiety Scale (SAS), n.d.) of the Sports Anxiety Scale – 2. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test revealed that the data did not conform to a normal distribution. The Mann-Whitney U Test did not identify any noteworthy gender differences among the volleyball players in anxiety subscales, including Worry, Concentration Disruption, Somatic Trait Anxiety, and Total Anxiety. This outcome suggests that male and female volleyball players likely experience comparable anxiety levels during competition.

The level of anxiety as a facilitating or inhibiting factor in sports performance

The research part of the paper is based on four hypotheses that aim to verify the following correlations: correlations between sports anxiety and anxiety as a feature, then between cognitive anxiety and self-esteem, correlations between anxiety in team sports and individual sports. Sport anxiety and sport performance were also investigated, as well as exploring sport anxiety to reduce it and increase athletes' sport performance. Regarding this, three online questionnaires were administered to a group of 90 athletes (48 from individual sports and 42 from team sports) of both female and male gender, for a period of 6 months. The team sports were basketball and football and the individual sports were gymnastics, martial arts and wrestling. The respective questionnaires represented the research instruments and were as follows: ASQ, Rosemberg and CSAI 2. The research aimed to find out through the results obtained whether anxiety in its forms, as a characteristic, or cognitive influences positively or negatively the performance outcomes of athletes. At the same time, it was found that self-esteem represents an important factor in helping to reduce cognitive anxiety, and even more importantly, it helps athletes to use anxiety effectively. It has been found that sports performance is affected by anxiety, especially in elite athletes, who feel a major pressure on their way to competitive success. Correlations between the ASQ and subscales of the CSAI-2 test found that anxious individuals already have a background for developing greater sport anxiety, interpreting certain situations negatively, compared to individuals who are more positive.

Pengaruh Tingkat Kecemasan dan Performa Atlet Cabang Olahraga Bola Tangan (handball) Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang

This research is a type of quantitative descriptive data survey research that aims to analyze the effect of anxiety levels on handball athletes at Singaperbangsa University in Karawang. The research method used is data collection filling out questionnaires to 10 handball athletes, of which 80% are male athletes and 20% are female athletes. The age of respondents was mostly the adult group (20-27 years) as much as 60% and the youth group (15-19 years) as much as 40%. Data collection is done through Google Form which consists of 26 statements using a Likert scale. The survey research results of the processed questionnaire data show the average value is 80.50 with a significant normality test of 0.996. The results measured in this study have been tested for validity and reliability has been confirmed previously. The conclusion from handball is that sport psychology has a very important role in understanding and managing athletes' anxiety. This anxiety can arise from match pressure, performance anxiety, and psychological factors that can affect athletes. However, by using sport psychology approaches, including mental training, support from teammates, and emotional management, athletes have the ability to overcome such anxiety. Therefore, controlling anxiety in sport is not impossible, and athletes can optimize their performance.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Sport Anxiety Scale-2.

The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) is a validated measure of sports trait anxiety, with promising psychometric properties. However, its cross-cultural applicability in Chinese samples remains unexplored. Thus, the primary objectives of this study were twofold: to translate the SAS-2 into Chinese and assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version. In Study 1, we initiated the translation of the SAS-2 into Chinese. This assessment involved bilingual Chinese students proficient in both English and Chinese. Additionally, we conducted a cross-linguistic measurement invariance analysis. In Study 2, we delved into the psychometric properties of the Chinese SAS-2 using a sample of Chinese student athletes. This examination encompassed an evaluation of its factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and measurement invariance across genders. Our findings in Study 1 indicated no significant differences in item scores between the Chinese SAS-2 and the English version, and measurement invariance across languages. In Study 2, we uncovered that the Chinese SAS-2 and its factors exhibited excellent reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values exceeding 0.80. Confirmatory factor analyses upheld the original three-factor model, demonstrating acceptable model fit indices (CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.08). Furthermore, all three factors of the Chinese SAS-2 displayed significant and positive correlations with athlete burnout and State-Trait anxiety. Additionally, this study elucidated the mediating role of Concentration Disruption (Somatic anxiety and Concentration Disruption) in the relationship between the Trait (State) anxiety, and athlete burnout. Moreover, we identified measurement invariance of the Chinese version of the SAS-2 across genders. Finally, female college athletes exhibited significantly higher scores in somatic anxiety and worry compared to their male counterparts. In sum, our findings affirm that the Chinese version of the SAS-2 demonstrates robust reliability and correlates effectively with related criteria, thus validating its suitability for use in a Chinese context.

Analysis of the Anxiety Level Among the Players of Serpong City FC In Facing the 2023/2024 Indonesian Liga 3 Competition

The sport of football is a branch of sports that has gained a lot of enthusiasts and competitors aiming to become high-achieving players. Therefore, players must train their mental resilience from an early age in order to be able to manage anxiety when facing a competition. This study falls under the category of a survey with a quantitative descriptive approach, using a questionnaire as the data collection tool. The focus of this research is to investigate the anxiety levels of players before facing the competition in the 2023/2024 Liga 3. There were 22 players selected as samples for this study. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire designed to measure the players' anxiety levels, utilizing the Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) as a sports anxiety instrument. The implementation phase involved providing instructions to the sample regarding the process of filling out the questionnaire regarding the profile of anxiety levels in players, and then collecting the data by distributing the questionnaire to the players. The results of this study showed that the anxiety levels of the Serpong City FC players for the 2023/2024 season before competing in the Liga 3 Indonesia 2023/2024 were as follows: 7 respondents (32%) experienced low anxiety levels with an average score of 15.14, 10 respondents (50%) experienced moderate anxiety levels with an average score of 19.5, and 5 respondents (22%) experienced high anxiety levels with an average score of 25.4. This provides insight to the coach and officials that they should focus on training the mental resilience of the players and help find solutions to the anxiety issues experienced by the Serpong City FC players, especially those participating in the Liga 3 competition for the first time. It also raises the question of whether the anxiety is intrinsic or extrinsic. Based on the results obtained, it can be interpreted that the anxiety levels of the Serpong City FC players for the 2023/2024 season fall into the moderate category, with an average score of 18.9.

Psychometric properties of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 for Chinese adolescent athletes taking the National Sports College Entrance Examination.

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) in Chinese adolescent sports exam candidates. One day before the National Sports College Entrance Examination, 965 Chinese athletes rated the Chinese-language SAS-2. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the three-factor structure. Factorial invariance was tested by comparing the configural invariance model to three more constrained models. Construct validity and reliability were determined. Fit indices meet the critical values: CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.943, RMSEA = 0.048 [90% CI, 0.041-0.054], and SRMR = 0.042. All path factor loadings exceed 0.5. The changes in CFI and RMSEA across the configural, metric, scalar, and uniqueness invariance are within the critical values, demonstrating strict measurement invariance across gender, years of training, and type of sports. The average variance extracted of the worry sub-scale is above the cutoff criteria, and McDonald's omega coefficients are over 0.70. Significant correlations exist between the SAS-2, SCAT, and CSAI-2. Factor correlations are all below 0.8. The measurement also distinguishes the known gender effect, with females showing a probability of 58.6% higher anxiety levels. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranges from 0.706 to 0.801. This study validated the Chinese-language SAS-2 in measuring competitive anxiety among Chinese adolescent athletes taking the National Sports College Entrance Examination. The development of the scale's applicability in China is discussed.

Examining the relatıonship between irrational performance beliefs and sport anxiety

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between irrational performance beliefs and sports anxiety. Method: A total of 365 young amateur athletes, 108 males (29.6%) and 257 females (70.4%), with an average age of 16±54, participated in the research. "Anxiety in Sports Scale", "Irrational Performance Beliefs Inventory-2" and "Personal Information Form" created by the researcher were used to collect data in the research. The research data were analyzed using a statistical analysis program. Percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation and Pearson correlation test were used to evaluate the obtained data. Findings: According to the data obtained from the research results, it was determined that the scores obtained from the irrational performance beliefs inventory and anxiety in sports scale were above the average. It has been revealed that there is a significant relationship between the total score and sub-dimensions of the anxiety scale in sports and the total score and sub-dimensions of the irrational performance beliefs scale. Conclusion: According to the results obtained in this study, it was observed that young amateur athletes with high irrational performance beliefs also had high sports anxiety levels. (Extended English summary is at the end of this document) Özet Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı akıldışı performans inançları ile sportif kaygı arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Yöntem: Araştırmaya 108 erkek (%29.6), 257 kadın (%70.4) olmak üzere yaş ortalamaları 16±54 olan toplam 365 genç amatör sporcu katılmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplamak amacıyla “Sporda Kaygı Ölçeği”, “Akıldışı Performans İnançları Envanteri-2” ve araştırmacı tarafından oluşturulan “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” kullanılmıştır. Araştırma verilerinin istatistik analiz programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen verilerin değerlendirilmesinde yüzdelik, aritmetik ortalama, standart sapma ve Pearson korelasyon testi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırma sonuçlarından elde edilen verilere göre akıldışı performans inançları envanteri ve Sporda kaygı ölçeğinden alınan puanların ortalamanın üstünde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sporda kaygı ölçeği toplam puanı ve alt boyutları ile akıldışı performans inançları ölçeği toplam puanı ve alt boyutları arasında anlamlı düzeyde bir ilişki olduğu ortaya konulmuştur. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada elde edilen sonuçlara göre yüksek akıldışı performans inançlarına sahip amatör genç sporcuların sportif kaygı düzeylerinin de yüksek olduğu görülmüştür.

Stress, Sport Anxiety, Neuroticism, and Coping in Student-Athletes: Implications for Patient Mental Health.

Patients' mental health has been recognized as important in providing patient-centered care in athletic training. To evaluate stress, sport anxiety, neuroticism, and coping in student-athletes. Cross-sectional study. University athletics. The sample comprised 86 student-athletes competing in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The Perceived Stress Scale, Sport Anxiety Scale-2, neuroticism scale of the Big Five Inventory, and Brief COPE were used to measure stress, sport anxiety, neuroticism, and coping, respectively. Sport anxiety was positively related to stress (r = 0.446, P < .001) and neuroticism (r = 0.311, P < .01) and not related to emotion-focused coping (r = 0.270, P = .804). Neuroticism was a negative predictor of emotion-focused coping (b = -0.373, P < .001), and sport anxiety and stress were predictors of dysfunctional coping (b = 0.120, P < .05; b = 0.037, P < .05). Stress, sport anxiety, and neuroticism were not predictors of problem-focused coping. Support was evident for the relationship among stress, sport anxiety, neuroticism, and coping in NCAA Division III student-athletes. Such results warrant future exploration to inform behavioral interventions targeting student-athlete psychosocial factors to promote improved performance, reduce injury risk factors (eg, stress, personality, coping), and enhance student-athlete mental health and well-being.

Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2).

The main aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Sports Anxiety scale-2 (SAS-2). The study covered 396 athletes, ages ranging from 18 years to 35 years. The task and ego orientation in sport questionnaire (TEOSQ) and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used for validation of the scale. Cronbach's alpha for the somatic anxiety subscale was 0.88, for the worry subscale was 0.95, and for the concentration disruption was 0.86, respectively. The three-factor model and hierarchical model fits perfectly as CFI > 0.95, TLI > 0.95, and RMSEA < 0.08. Satisfactory results in measurement invariance show the use of the tool for any gender or athlete (high-performance, recreational) group. The internal consistency (α = 0.86-0.95) and the test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87-0.90) were satisfactory. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between task orientation and total anxiety along with its three subscales, and a weak positive correlation between ego orientation and worry subscale. Meanwhile, a weak to moderate positive correlation was exhibited between total anxiety and its subscales with the STAI-T and STAI-S. Additionally, female, recreational, and female recreational athletes' groups had weak negative associations between worry and concentration disruption trait anxiety and task orientation, and a weak positive association between somatic anxiety and ego orientation.