Positive and negative spontaneous self-talk and performance in gymnastics: The role of contextual, personal and situational factors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse whether contextual (perception of motivational climate and positive and negative spontaneous self-talk in sports), personal (positivity) and situational variables (positive and negative spontaneous self-talk employed in competition and precompetitive anxiety) predict performance in a competition of ensembles of rhythmic gymnastics. 258 female gymnasts between ages14 and 20 (M = 15.24, SD = 1.46) participated in the study, completing pre- and post-competition measures. The results of the path-analysis showed that both the task-involving climate and positivity predicted positive self-talk in sport. This predicted self-confidence which, in turn, positively predicted positive situational self-talk in competition. For its part, the perception of an ego-involving climate positively predicted the use of both negative and positive self-talk in sport. Negative self-talk in sports predicted negative situational self-talk in competition and somatic and cognitive anxiety. In turn, cognitive anxiety positively predicted negative situational self-talk. Finally, performance was positively predicted by positive situational self-talk and negatively by negative situational self-talk. These results explain the functioning of spontaneous self-talk at different levels of generality and its relationship with sports performance.

Impact of Unsolicited Negative Feedback in Academic Settings

“…This was a significant discovery because there was growing evidence linking harsh (or negative) self-talk to impulsive mood swings. Numerous writers, including Santos-Rosa et al [ 19 ], who discovered that performance was negatively impacted by negative self-talk, support these findings. They observed that positive self-talk was a predictor of positive performance.…”

Effectiveness of an app-based intervention to improve well-being through cultivating positive thinking and positive emotions in an adult sample: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…The positive thinking activity will involve learning how to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. The practice will involve strengthening of positive self-talk to organize thoughts, assign positive meanings, and engage in silent or verbal self-dialog ( Santos-Rosa et al, 2022 ).…”

Pengaruh Perbualan Kendiri (Self-talk) Terhadap Kebimbangan Atlet Badminton Sebelum Perlawanan

“…Penemuan ini menggariskan kesan berbeza daripada perbualan kendiri positif dan negatif terhadap kebimbangan dan prestasi dalam konteks eksperimen terkawal. Dapatan kajian ini hampir sama dengan hasil penyelidikan Santos-Rosa et al (2022) dan Lotfi et al (2016). Kedua-dua strategi perbualan kendiri negatif dan positif mempengaruhi tahap kebimbangan pra-pertandingan pemain badminton.…”