Abstract

Sports performance anxiety (SPA) is a common experience among athletes at all levels and has been widely discussed in relation to performance outcomes. However, there are few studies that have actually examined how anxiety is related to perceived performance across a variety of sports and competitive contexts. This study examined the nature of the relation between sports performance anxiety and performance within a competition, specifically examining somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption with particular attention to contextual and demographic influences. Participants completed a pre-competition survey (n = 82) that measures sports performance anxiety using the Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) and a post-competition survey (n = 63) that assesses perceived performance and anxiety. A series of statistical analyses were conducted, including linear regression, chi-square tests, and independent samples t-tests. Results indicated pre-competition anxiety was negatively related to perceived performance; however, this relationship was not statistically significant, B = -0.29, SE = 0.27, p = .296. Athletes reported significantly higher anxiety experienced in the place of competition compared to outside the place of competition, χ²(3) = 62.56, p < .001. Additionally, no significant differences in anxiety levels were found between underclassmen and upperclassmen, t(55.08) = -0.08, p = .402. However, women reported significantly higher levels of pre-competition anxiety as compared to men, t(76) = −2.67, p = .009, d = -0.65. These findings suggest that situational and certain demographic factors may play a greater role in shaping competitive anxiety than individual characteristics such as experience level. Overall, this study highlights the complexity of sports performance anxiety and suggests that future research should further examine contextual influences and athletes’ interpretations of anxiety in competitive settings.

Advisor

Scheibe, Dan

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Biological Psychology | Clinical Psychology | Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | Health Psychology | Other Psychology | Social Psychology | Somatic Psychology

Keywords

Sports Performance Anxiety, Somatic Anxiety, Concentration Disruption, Worry, Intrapersonal Social Anxiety, Interpersonal Social Anxiety, Arousal, Affective Anxiety, SAS-2, Sport Anxiety Scale-2, Perceived Athletic Performance, Performance, Emotions, Physiological Symptoms of Anxiety

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Amelia Knaysi