The relationship between the sports psychological profile and competitive anxiety in beach handball players

Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between the sports psychological profile and competitive anxiety in a group of beach handball players. 112 under-19's and adult players aged between 17 and 32 years (M = 23.23; SD = 6.81) took part in the study. 55.36% of the participants were male (n = 62) and 44.64% were female (n = 50). The Psychological Inventory of Sports Performance (IPED) was used to analyse the psychological profile of the participants and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) to evaluate their state of anxiety and self-confidence. The correlation of the analysis and linear regression carried out revealed significant relationships between the studied constructs. For the total sample, negative coping control and motivational level were the best predictors of anxiety, with negative and positive coping control being the most important predictors of confidence. Some differences existed depending on gender in all the models. The results found revealed a relationship between the variables analysed and they suggest that knowledge about psychological sporting profiles could help analyse the state of anxiety and confidence in athletes.