The relationship between metacognitive beliefs and competitive anxiety among elite and amateur soccer players.
Competitive anxiety is a commonly observed psychological phenomenon within the field of competitive sports such as soccer. Metacognitive beliefs are associated with anxiety in clinical and non-clinical populations, however, few studies have explored the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and competitive anxiety. In this study we aimed to explore the association between metacognitive beliefs and competitive anxiety among Norwegian soccer players. We also investigated differences in competitive anxiety between elite and amateur players, and between women and men.
In a cross-sectional study, 150 Norwegian soccer players at elite and amateur level completed the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30), the Sport Anxiety Scale 2 (SAS-2), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and demographic variables. Independent t-tests were conducted to explore differences in competitive anxiety between elite and amateur and between female and male athletes. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and total competitive anxiety scores, as well as the three SAS-2 subscales - somatic anxiety, worry and concentration disruption - while controlling for demographic variables and depressive symptoms.
Independent t-tests showed significantly higher competitive anxiety scores among amateur than elite players, and female players reported higher scores than male players. Regression analyses revealed that positive metacognitive beliefs were associated with somatic anxiety, while negative metacognitive beliefs and cognitive self-consciousness were associated with the worry subscale of SAS-2. Metacognitive beliefs were not related to the SAS-2 total score and concentration disruption.
The results indicate a higher level of competitive anxiety among female and amateur players, and that metacognitive beliefs are relevant to somatic anxiety and worry among soccer players, irrespective of their competitive level. This suggests that interventions aimed at challenging metacognitive beliefs to reduce competitive anxiety should be explored in future studies. Theoretical and clinical implications of the current findings are discussed in light of the metacognitive model.
In a cross-sectional study, 150 Norwegian soccer players at elite and amateur level completed the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30), the Sport Anxiety Scale 2 (SAS-2), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and demographic variables. Independent t-tests were conducted to explore differences in competitive anxiety between elite and amateur and between female and male athletes. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and total competitive anxiety scores, as well as the three SAS-2 subscales - somatic anxiety, worry and concentration disruption - while controlling for demographic variables and depressive symptoms.
Independent t-tests showed significantly higher competitive anxiety scores among amateur than elite players, and female players reported higher scores than male players. Regression analyses revealed that positive metacognitive beliefs were associated with somatic anxiety, while negative metacognitive beliefs and cognitive self-consciousness were associated with the worry subscale of SAS-2. Metacognitive beliefs were not related to the SAS-2 total score and concentration disruption.
The results indicate a higher level of competitive anxiety among female and amateur players, and that metacognitive beliefs are relevant to somatic anxiety and worry among soccer players, irrespective of their competitive level. This suggests that interventions aimed at challenging metacognitive beliefs to reduce competitive anxiety should be explored in future studies. Theoretical and clinical implications of the current findings are discussed in light of the metacognitive model.