Electronic versions

  • L.J. Hardy
  • W.N. Cheng
  • L. Hardy
Objectives: To predict the complex anxiety-performance dynamics, Cheng and associates (Cheng, Hardy, and Markland, 2009, 2011: Cheng, Hardy, and Woodman, 2011) proposed a three-dimensional model of anxiety that highlighted the adaptive potential of anxiety, and was supported with regard to cross-cultural factorial validity and predictive validity in the context of sports performance. In particular, this anxiety model included a regulatory dimension (reflected by perceived control) in addition to the conventional intensity-oriented dimensions of cognitive and physiological anxiety. Design: To further examine the characteristics of the hypothesized adaptive potential of the regulatory dimension of anxiety, a series of three studies were conducted to investigate the relationship mainly between the regulatory dimension and three psychological variables proposed to be related to performance and stress, namely, perfectionism, self-talk and coping strategy. Method: Chinese sports participants and dancers completed self-report measures. Hierarchical multiple regression was adopted for data analysis. Results: The findings showed that the regulatory dimension of anxiety was positively predicted by relatively adaptive dimensions of perfectionism (personal standards) and self-talk (motivational and instructional self-talk), and positively predicted approach coping. Conclusions: Overall, these data support the hypothesized characteristics of the adaptive potential underlying the regulatory dimension of anxiety. Future research and applied implications are suggested. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)255-263
JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise
Volume22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Aug 2015
View graph of relations