The relationship between the sources of confidence and re-injury anxiety

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the sources of confidence and re-injury anxiety. Athletes (N= 50) who sustained an injury within the last 5 months and required a minimum of 5 weeks physical rehabilitation completed the Modified Sources of Sport-Confidence Questionnaire (M-SSCQ; Magyar & Duda, 2000) and Reinjury anxiety inventory (RIAI; Walker et al., 2010). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between predictor variables (sources of confidence) and outcome variables (re-injury anxiety) across the whole sample. The results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that vicarious experience (p<.01), situational favourableness (p<.05), demonstration of ability (p<.05) and physical selfpresentation (p<.05) were the most significant contributors in predicting re-injury anxiety. In contrast, mastery (p>.05), environmental comfort (p>.05), coach/physio leadership (p>.05) and mental/physical preparation (p>.05) were reported to be the least important contributors in predicting re-injury anxiety. These findings suggest that specific sources of confidence are predictors of re-injury anxiety during both rehabilitation and return to competition phases of the injury process. Further qualitative research should be conducted to examine these findings within re-injury anxiety research.