COMPETITIVE ANXIETY AMONG YOUNG SWIMMERS: THE ROLE OF PARENTAL INFLUENCE IN SHAPING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbeag.70.sp.iss.1.19Keywords:
swimming, anxiety, perception, desire, behaviourAbstract
Aim: This study aims to assess the level of anxiety young swimmers experience in a competition and to identify differences between perceived and desired parental behaviours in relation to athletic performance. Methods: 16 boys and girls, aged 12.06 ± 2.01 on average, were included in this study with their parents’ consent. All participants filled in the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory—2 (CSAI-2; Martens et al., 1983) and the Parental Involvement in Sport Questionnaire (PISQ) created by Lee and MacLean, 1997). Statistical processing was performed using SPSS (version 19). The t-test for paired samples was used to compare the results in terms of perceived and desired parental behaviour in relation to young swimmers’ performance. The significance threshold applied in this study was p ≤ 0.05. Results: Young swimmers have increased confidence in their own abilities (M = 17.25, SD = 2.49). The total anxiety score (M = 33.50, SD = 4.66) shows that young swimmers are quite concerned about competition. The data show that there is no statistically significant difference between genders in terms of total anxiety score (χ²= 17.92, df = 20, p = 0.59). According to the statistical analysis, the average scores of perceived and desired mother behaviour differ significantly (M = 4.81, t = 5.4, df = 15, p < 0.001). The difference between perceived and desired father behaviour in relation to competition is not statistically significant (M = 0.68, t = 0.6, df =15, p = 0.55). There is a statistically significant difference between the average scores of perceived mother and father behaviour (M = 6.87, t = 4.74, df =15, p < 0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between perceived pressure and desired parental behaviour (M = 6.12, t = 4.21, df =15, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Children show confidence in their own abilities before competition (M = 17.25). There is no statistically significant difference between girls and boys in terms of total anxiety score. Both parents are involved in supporting athletes, with the father being deemed to be the one who puts more pressure on children. Children state that they would like their mothers to be more concerned with their results, which would give them support and encouragement. Swimmers at this age feel pressure but would like their parents to be even more involved in supporting them when it comes to participating in competitions.
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