A Study of Pre-Competition Anxiety and Aggression among University Athletes
Keywords:
Anxiety, Aggression, SCAT, Buss–Perry, AthletesAbstract
The present study investigated pre-competition anxiety and aggression among university athletes. Sixty-four players participated in total, with equal representation of males (n = 32) and females (n = 32). Competitive anxiety was assessed with the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (Martens, 1977), while aggression was measured using the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992). Statistical analysis included descriptive measures, independent-samples t-tests to examine gender differences, and one-way ANOVA for comparisons across groups. The findings revealed that female athletes experienced higher levels of pre-competition anxiety, whereas male athletes showed greater aggression. A negative correlation emerged between anxiety and performance ratings. These results highlight the importance of structured psychological preparation, including breathing routines, goal setting, and positive self-talk, as practical strategies for coaches to enhance competitive readiness.
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References
Buss, A. H., & Perry, M. (1992). The Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63(3), 452–459. Cox, R. H. (2012). Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Martens, R. (1977). Sport Competition Anxiety Test. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2019). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (7th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
