Sport Sciences and Health Research

Sport Sciences and Health Research

Self-compassion and Pre-competition Anxiety in Martial Arts Student Athletes

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mahmoud Mohebi 1
Athena Gharayagh Zandi 1
Sahar Zarei 1
Hassan Gharayagh Zandi 2
1 Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Motor Behavior and Sports Psychology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.32598/JESM.11.2.4
Abstract
Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between Self-compassion and precompetitive anxiety among female athlete students.
Methods: This was a descriptive correlational study. Two hundred and fifty-three female students (140 taekwondo & 113 karate) were selected among athletes present at the 14th Student Cultural Sports Olympiad. Self-compassion Scale and Competitive State Anxiety–2 were used in this study before competing in games to measure the aforementioned theoretical constructs.
Results: The obtained results revealed a significant relationship between pre-competitive anxiety and Self-compassion. Moreover, the components of this characteristic positively predicted self-confidence variance; however, this prediction reversed with somatic and cognitive anxiety.
Conclusion: Based on the current study results, Self-compassion plays a moderating role in the pre-competitive anxiety of female martial arts athletes. Therefore, improving this characteristic should be considered to promote self-confidence and reduce the pre-competitive anxiety in these athletes.
Keywords
Self-compassion
State anxiety
Cognitive appraisal
Self-confidence
Mindfulness
Sport Sciences and Health Research
Volume 11, Issue 2
July 2019
Pages 97-104