The underlying factors behind pre-competitive high and low state anxiety amongst varsity football players in Singapore

Abstract

The relationship between pre-competitive state anxiety and self-confidence in athletes is a well- researched topic (Pineda-Espejel, López-Walle, Rodríguez, Villanueva, & Gurrola, 2013; Craft, Magyar, Becker, & Feltz 2003). However, little research exists in identifying possible underlying factors affecting pre-competitive state anxiety and self-confidence in varsity football players. This study aimed to identify specific factors that may lead to pre-competitive anxiety levels of varsity football players in Singapore. The study hypothesised that high levels of pre-competitive state anxiety are likely to stem from low levels of self-confidence caused by factors that increases the perception of competition demands, and/or the decreases a player's perception of their ability to perform. Eighty-two male and female varsity football players that are currently playing for a Singapore varsity football team were recruited. Each participant completed the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R; Cox, Martens, & Russell, 2003) prior to a game. A follow-up interview was then conducted with the top five and bottom five players with high and low anxiety scores respectively to gain some insights into the reasons contributing to those scores. Findings show that within these participants there is a significant negative correlation only between cognitive anxiety and self-confidence. Additionally, the findings revealed that the factors affecting state anxiety levels of these participants are mainly the perception of their own ability, teammates’ ability, their opponents’ ability, and/or their mental preparation. This study can be used by players and coaches to understand factors that affect state anxiety, and find possible coping strategies to deal with them.