AN INVESTIGATION IN TO THE ROLE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE IN INJURED ATHLETES’ RETURN TO SPORT

Abstract

The aim of this present study was to investigate the relationship between sources of confidence and re-injury anxiety. Participants comprised injured athletes (N=32), who had been unable to participate in sport for at least 5 weeks. All participants completed the Modified Sources of Confidence Questionnaire (M-SSCQ; Magyar & Duda, 2000) and the Re-Injury Anxiety Questionnaire (R-IAI; Walker, 2006). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between sources of confidence and re-injury anxiety. The results of the analysis indicated that a number of sources of confidence contributed significantly to the prediction of re-injury anxiety, specifically demonstration of ability, social support and mental/physical preparation. These findings suggest that athletes place significant importance on demonstration of ability, social support and physical/mental preparation to offset the detrimental effects of re-injury anxiety. Future research should be conducted to find out the debilitative factors that the sources of confidence may have, research should also be conducted on athletes with different participation levels and gender differences. Sources of confidence within the M-SCCQ and the questions within the M-SCCQ need further research. Inductive and qualitative research should be conducted to further explore the relationship between the sources of confidence and re-injury anxiety