2021, Volume 1, Issue 2

Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria



Tochi Emmanuel Iwuagwu1, Joshua Emeka Umeifekwem1, Samuel Ndubuisi Igwe1, Okechukwu Kingsley Oforka1, Oluchukwu Precious Udeh1

1Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Nigeria


Author for correspondence: Okechukwu Kingsley Oforka; Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Nigeria; email: kingsley.oforka@unn.edu.ng

DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08

Full text

Abstract

Background: The study investigated the profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills (PCS) among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria.

Material/Methods: A total number of 420 secondary school athletes participated in a cross-sectional study. The profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills of the participants were measured using a 46-item questionnaire consisting of three socio-demographic factors as part I, a 15-item Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) as part II and a 28-item Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI) as part III. Mean, standard deviation and linear regressions were used for analyses.

Results: The findings revealed that secondary school athletes had an average level of anxiety (mean±SD=20.79±3.776), and greater strength on psychological coping skills (mean±SD=49.92±19.20) while participating in sport competitions. Coachability, Goal setting and mental preparation, and Freedom from worry had significant association (p<.05) with athletes’ Sport Competition Anxiety.

Conclusions: This research proves that increase in psychological coping skills leads to increase in athletes’ competition anxiety while participating in sport. However, sport psychologists, Physical Education teachers, games masters/mistresses and coaches in secondary schools need to acquire psychological skills through specialized seminar or expertise training so as to enable athletes to cope with sport anxiety.


Key words: sport, sport competition, anxiety trait, profile, psychological coping skills, secondary school athletes


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Iwuagwu T, Umeifekwem J, Igwe S et al. Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Balt J Health Phys Activ. 2021;1(2):75-87. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08

APA:

Iwuagwu, T.E.., Umeifekwem, J.E.., Igwe, S.N.., Oforka, O.K.., & Udeh, O.P.. (2021). Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 1(2), 75-87. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08

Chicago:

Iwuagwu, Tochi Emmanuel , Umeifekwem Joshua Emeka , Igwe Samuel Ndubuisi , Oforka Okechukwu Kingsley , Udeh Oluchukwu Precious . 2021. "Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria". Balt J Health Phys Activ 1 (2): 75-87. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08

Harvard:

Iwuagwu, T.E.., Umeifekwem, J.E.., Igwe, S.N.., Oforka, O.K.., and Udeh, O.P.. (2021). Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 1(2), pp.75-87. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08

MLA:

Iwuagwu, Tochi Emmanuel et al. "Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria." Balt J Health Phys Activ, vol. 1, no. 2, 2021, pp. 75-87. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08

Vancouver:

Iwuagwu TE, Umeifekwem JE, Igwe SN et al. Profile of sport competition anxiety trait and psychological coping skills among secondary school athletes in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Balt J Health Phys Activ 2021; 1(2): 75-87. Available from: doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.08