Perceived Motivational Climate Determines Self-Confidence and Precompetitive Anxiety in Young Soccer Players: Analysis by Gender

Verónica Morales-Sánchez, Montserrat Caballero-Cerbán, Cristina Postigo-Martín, Juan P. Morillo-Baro, Antonio Hernández-Mendo and Rafael E. Reigal ()
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Verónica Morales-Sánchez: Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Montserrat Caballero-Cerbán: EADE Center, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 29018 Malaga, Spain
Cristina Postigo-Martín: Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Juan P. Morillo-Baro: Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Antonio Hernández-Mendo: Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Rafael E. Reigal: Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: The main objective of this study was to analyze whether the perception of the motivational climate in young soccer players determines the level of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. In addition, the results were explored according to gender, in order to observe if there were differences between the female and male categories. A total of 113 cadet and youth soccer players from six soccer teams in the provinces of Malaga and Granada, aged between 14 and 19 years, who competed in regional leagues, participated in the study. Of these, 50 were female and 63 were male. The Competitive Sport Anxiety (CSAI-2), Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2), and Self-Confidence in Sport Competition Questionnaire (CACD) were used to collect the information. Correlation, linear regression and cluster analyses were performed. The data analyses carried out affirmed the relationship between the study variables, observing that the perception of ego climate was positively related to cognitive anxiety ( p < 0.05) and insecurity ( p < 0.01), and inversely to self-confidence ( p < 0.05). By gender, boys showed a higher perception of an ego-oriented ( p < 0.001) and lower perception of a task-oriented climate ( p < 0.05) than girls. However, girls showed a greater intensity in the relationships related to ego climate and lower scores in self-confidence ( p < 0.01), as well as higher scores in insecurity ( p < 0.001). The results have shown positive relationships between self-confidence and a task-oriented climate, as well as negative ones with an ego-oriented climate. It is also observed that ego orientation generates more insecurity and anxiety, which is more evident in girls.

Keywords: soccer; competitive anxiety; self-confidence; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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