Relations of goal orientations and expectations on multidimensional state anxiety

This study examined the relationships among task and ego orientation, expectations for success, and multidimensional state anxiety in a competitive sport situation. Subjects (N = 107) enrolled in a tennis skills class were gender- and ability-matched and asked to play an eight game pro-set. One week prior to the match goal orientations were assessed. Immediately prior to competition multidimensional state anxiety and performance expectations were measured. Multiple regression analyses predicting multidimensional state anxiety revealed that somatic and cognitive state anxiety were only predicted by performance expectations. Also, lower ego orientation and positive match expectations were predictive of state self-confidence. Results are interpreted in light of goal perspective theory.