Factors related to competitive stress among male youth sport participants

A study was conducted to determine intrapersonal and situational factors related to the stress experienced by 11 and 12 year old boys participating in competitive youth sports. Potential stress related factors were assessed at preseason, pregame, and postgame periods. The indicant of stress was state anxiety measured by the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children administered 30 minutes prior to and immediately following a competitive soccer game. Findings indicated that competitive trait anxiety, self esteem, basal state anxiety, and expectancies of self and team performance outcomes were significantly related to stress experienced when anticipating competition. As hypothesized, game win-loss was a highly significant predictor of post-game stress. Other predictors of postgame stress were the game win-loss x game closeness interaction, the amount of fun experienced during the game, basal state anxiety, and the perceived importance of a game win to the coach. The findings are discussed in terms of the child's actual and perceived response capabilities in meeting the performance demands of the highly evaluative sport competition process.