The Relationship between Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Table Tennis
The Relationship between Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Table Tennis
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Issue Date
2009
Authors
Kurimay, Dora
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how multidimensional competitive anxiety relates to different coping strategies in table tennis athletes. Additionally, gender differences were investigated in coping strategies and anxiety as well. Competitive table tennis players were asked during tournaments to fill out a Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R) right before and a Modified Cope Questionnaire right after their match. The study could not find any interactive effect between the intensity (low and high) and direction of anxiety (facilitative and debilitative) and coping strategies in table tennis players. Therefore this study could not verify that athletes with positive perceptions of their anxiety level are able to use more effective coping strategies compared to athletes who received their anxiety debilitative. There were significant differences between high compared to low levels of cognitive anxiety and emotion focused coping (venting of emotion and denial) and avoidance (behavioral disengagement). Athletes with high competitive anxiety levels used significantly (p<0.05) more avoidance and emotion-focused coping compared to athletes who had low anxiety level. Furthermore, there were gender differences in competitive cognitive anxiety intensity and direction. Women table tennis athletes perceived their anxiety level significantly (p<0.05) higher and more debilitatively compare to male athletes. This study highlights for coaches and sport psychology practitioners that athletes should not only strive to regulate the intensity of anxiety symptoms but also learn to interpret their anxiety facilitative. This can help to cope with stress more effectively and can assist to use the most appropriate coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion-focused or avoidance coping) in the competition environment. Additionally, this study suggests that coaches and sport psychology professionals can be aware of gender differences related to competitive cognitive anxiety when they work with athletes.