Anxiety intensity and direction: Preperformance temporal patterns and expectations in athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify temporal patterns of anxiety and self-confidence levels, with respect to both the intensity and direction (i.e., perceived favonbility) of these symptoms, and precompetitive performance expectations at three times prior to competition. Participants were 91 high school and college athletes competing in soccer, swimming. and tnck and field. Results indicated that anxiety intensity symptoms followed the predicted temporal patterns prior to competition (Martens et at., 1990). Temporal patterns for directional anxiety and self-confidence, and performance expectations did not change significantly over time prior to competition. Implications involving the relationship between anxiety direction and performance expectations were then discussed according to Jones' (1995) control model of debilitative and facilitative state anxiety.