B Johnston

This study examined the efficacy of approach and avoidance strategies for coping with stress experienced during sports performance. Subjects were 90 undergraduate female students whose ages ranged from 17 years to 40 years. The approach task was to putt ten golf balls into an easy target while music and noise was playing to distract subjects from the task. Subjects were trained in either approach (mental rehearsal) or avoidance (attentional focus) strategies. The relationship between approach and avoidance coping strategies, the nature of the task, the appraisal of perceived demand and perceived capability, and performance were examined. Some evidence was found to support the classification of stressful transactions as requiring either an approach or an avoidance strategy. The use of the appropriate strategy enhanced perceived capability and improved performance. Evidence was also found to support the conceptualisation of stress as an appraised imbalance between perceived demand and perceived capability. These results suggest that the training and use of an appropriate strategy can lower stress and enhance the performance of people in a sporting situation. The theoretical and professional implications of these findings are discussed.… (plus d'informations)