Mastery Imagery Ability Is Associated With Positive Anxiety and Performance During Psychological Stress

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sport Psychology
• Performance Psychology

Background:

• Mastery imagery (visualizing control in challenging situations) is a technique for anxiety regulation.
• Research on mastery imagery ability's role in confidence and anxiety during acute stress is limited.
• Understanding this association is crucial for performance enhancement in stressful contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if trait mastery imagery ability mediates the link between confidence and anxiety.
• To examine the impact of mastery imagery ability and confidence on performance during acute psychological stress.
• To explore how mastery imagery influences the interpretation of anxiety symptoms.

Main Methods:

• 130 participants (55% male, mean age 19.94) completed mastery imagery ability assessments.
• Participants underwent a standardized acute psychological stress task.
• Confidence, anxiety intensity (cognitive and somatic), and anxiety interpretation were measured pre-task.

Main Results:

• Path analyses confirmed mastery imagery ability mediates the relationship between confidence and anxiety interpretation.
• Higher mastery imagery ability and confidence were directly linked to improved performance on the stress task.
• Mastery imagery ability appears to facilitate more positive interpretations of anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Mastery imagery ability can mediate the effects of confidence on anxiety interpretation during stress.
• Enhancing mastery imagery ability and self-confidence may improve coping with anxiety in stressful situations.
• This suggests a potential pathway for improving performance through psychological skill development.