Competitive state anxiety and self-confidence: Intensity and direction as relative predictors of performance on a golf putting task

Abstract

This study considered relationships between the intensity and directional aspects of competitive state anxiety as measured by the modified Competitive Sport Anxiety Inventory-2(D) (Jones & Swain, 1992) in a sample of 12 experienced male golfers. Anxiety and performance scores from identical putting tasks performed under three different anxiety-manipulated competitive conditions were used to assess both the predictions of Multidimensional Anxiety Theory (MAT; Martens et al., 1990) and the relative value of intensity and direction in explaining performance variance. A within-subjects regression analysis of the intra-individual data showed partial support for the three MAT hypotheses. Cognitive anxiety intensity demonstrated a negative linear relationship with performance, somatic anxiety intensity showed a curvilinear relationship with performance, and self-confidence intensity revealed a positive linear relation. Cognitive directional anxiety illustrated a positive linear relationship with putting performance. Multiple regression analyses indicated that direction (42% of variance) was a better predictor of performance than intensity (22%).

Relación entre la ansiedad precompetitiva, el clima deportivo y su efecto sobre el rendimiento de un grupo de taekwondistas universitario de Bogotá

“…Según Chamberlain y Hale (2007), esta ansiedad se puede producir de dos formas: como ansiedad rasgo, que es la predisposición personal que tendrá el deportista o individuo para reaccionar ante situaciones percibidas como amenazas, y la ansiedad estado, que es aquella que trae consigo una reacción transitoria ante un estímulo intimidante o peligroso para la persona. Además, los autores confirman que estos dos factores están asociados con la aparición de la ansiedad previa a las competencias.…”

Does self-confidence link to motivation? A study in field hockey athletes

“…It is stated that self-confidence level of a person could positively or negatively affect many components in one's life (Tokinan & Bilen, 2011). For example, researchers, previously, stated that self-confidence could positively affect performance (Chamberlain & Hale, 2007;Tavani & Losh, 2003;Edwards & Hardy, 1996, Martin & Gill, 1991. Furthermore, Weinberg and Gould (2003) stated that, when self-confidence level of an athlete is high, he/she can focus on what they are doing.…”

Pre-competitive emotions in team sports: Differences across gender and perceived importance and difficulty of the competition

“…Additionally, numerous studies have focused on the effects of anxiety on performance (e.g., 13,15) , investigating not only the intensity of competitive anxiety symptoms, but also other dimensions of the competitive anxiety construct (e.g., directional interpretation) (e.g., 46,50) . However, despite the amount of research, at the present time there is consensus that anxiety alone is too narrow and clearly insufficient to account for the athletes' emotional reactions and explain sport performance and success.…”