Self-confidence and anxiety interpretation: A qualitative investigation
Author
Hanton, Sheldon
Hall, R.
Mellalieu, Stephen D.
Date
2004-10-01Publisher
Official Journal of the European Federation of Sport Psychology (FEPSAC) [Elsevier]
ISSN
1469-0292
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This qualitative paper, which looked at athletes’ self-confidence, exposed the perceived mechanisms underlying debilitative anxiety. Causal networks displayed performers’ retrospective explanations for the relationship between confidence and anxiety 'direction'. Elite performers reported using confidence management strategies to protect against debilitating interpretations of competitive anxiety. The strategies included combinations of: mental rehearsal, cognitive thought stopping and restructuring, self-talk and coach encouragement. The findings have implications for consultants and performers operating in stressful environments. Hanton designed the study, contributed to data analysis, and edited the manuscript.
Journal/conference proceeding
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Citation
Hanton, S., Mellalieu, S.D. and Hall, R. (2004) 'Self-confidence and anxiety interpretation: A qualitative investigation', Psychology of sport and exercise, 5(4), pp.477-495
Collections
- Sport Research Groups [1089]