Work

Gender differences in competitive state anxiety and self-confidence among volleyball players

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined gender differences in competitive state anxiety and self-confidence among volleyball players using the original 27-item Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2; Martens et al., 1990). A descriptive-comparative design was employed with 50 volleyball players (25 male, 25 female) aged 18–25 years, drawn from Khelo India Centres of District Ganderbal and the Government College of Physical Education, Ganderbal. Participants completed the CSAI-2, which assesses cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence through nine items per dimension, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests, with the level of significance set at 0.05. The results showed no statistically significant difference between male and female players in cognitive anxiety (male M = 22.64, SD = 2.60; female M = 21.56, SD = 2.87; t(48) = 1.394, p = .170). However, female players reported significantly higher somatic anxiety than male players (male M = 20.88, SD = 2.30; female M = 23.44, SD = 2.40; t(48) = −3.854, p < .001), while male players reported significantly higher self-confidence than female players (male M = 25.04, SD = 2.35; female M = 22.32, SD = 1.65; t(48) = 4.730, p < .001). These findings are broadly consistent with earlier reports of higher physiological anxiety and lower confidence among female athletes relative to male athletes in other sports (Bartholomeu et al., 2014; Datcu et al., 2022). The results suggest that although male and female volleyball players may experience comparable levels of cognitive worry before competition, they differ meaningfully in physiological arousal and confidence. Coaches and sport psychologists working with volleyball players, particularly female athletes, may benefit from incorporating psychological skills training, such as relaxation, imagery and confidence-building strategies, into regular practice to help regulate somatic anxiety and strengthen self-belief. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to further clarify the nature and sources of these gender-based psychological differences.

Source: International Journal of Sports Health and Physical Education

DOI: 10.33545/26647559.2025.v7.i2h.487

Authors: Mohsin Majeed Ganaie, Budru Nissa

Institutions: Central University of Kashmir, Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University

Language: English

Topic: Sport Psychology and Performance

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W7204833822