Correlates of Sports Confidence among High School Athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the correlates of sports confidence among high school athletes. The study examined Vealey’s (1986) nine sources of sports confidence in relation to contextual factors of gender, age, playing experience and type of sport. A descriptive survey design was used, and data were collected using Vealey’s Sources of sports confidence questionnaire (SSCQ) from high school athletes (n=175). Results showed that coaches’ leadership was the highest source of sports confidence, followed by mastery and physical and mental preparation, while situational favourableness appeared to be the weakest source of confidence amongst the athletes. There were significant differences in physical self-presentation (t=-2.14, df = 173, p =0.034) in favour of male athletes. Athletes participating in individual sports had superior scores in mastery, while coaches’ leadership was the most important source of sports confidence for athletes in team sports. There were significant differences in coaches’ leadership (t=-3.118, df = 175, p = 0.002) and social support (t= -2.236, df = 175, p = 0.027) in favour of athletes in a team sport. Athletes who did not engage in their current sport while in a primary school rated coaches’ leadership highly, while mastery of the skill was scored highly by athletes who did participate in the sport while in primary school. It is concluded that coaches’ leadership skills, mastery of skill execution and physical or mental preparedness were the major sources of sports confidence. High schools should utilize coaches who can be emulated by the athletes.

Relationship Between Group Culture and Athletic Performance among Sportsmen and Sportswomen at Kenyatta University in Nairobi City County, Kenya: Relationship Between Peer Pressure And Athletic Performance

“…Ogama et al (2019) explored the impact of attitudes and knowledge on doping behavior among longdistance runners in Kenya, highlighting how peer pressure can lead to doping in pursuit of quick success. Rintaugu et al (2018) studied sources of sports confidence and contextual factors among university sportsmen and sportswomen in Kenya. They emphasized that first-year students were more stressed by peer pressure, while final-year students were less affected.…”

“…Group culture and athletic performance are intertwined because they work together to produce excellent outcomes (Rintaugu et al, 2018). As aforementioned, group culture is crucial since it directly impacts the overall team performance and functioning (Ogama et al, 2019).…”

Sexual Violence in Sport: Expanding Awareness and Knowledge for Sports Medicine Providers

“…The prevalence of sexual abuse is higher in elite sport (18–21), and risk may be higher in athletes who demonstrate early sport specialization because of increased dependence on their abuser (22). Victims are affected regardless of age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic class (13,23–25), but risk is higher for athletes with disabilities and athletes who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (20,26). The type of sport, amount of clothing worn, or amount of touching required for that sport has not been shown to increase risk of sexual abuse (13,27).…”