Stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness: gender, type of sport, and skill differences

J Sports Sci. 2007 Nov;25(13):1521-30. doi: 10.1080/02640410701230479.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness as a function of gender, type of sport, and skill. The sample consisted of 749 undergraduate athletes (455 males, 294 females) aged 18-38 years (mean= 19.8 years). Skill was classified as international/national, county, university, and club standard. Participants completed a stressor and coping concept map (Novak & Gowin, 1984). The results revealed gender, type of sport, and skill differences in relation to stressor frequencies, coping strategy deployment, and coping effectiveness. In contrast to previous research, females used a variety of problem-focused (e.g. planning, communication, technique-orientated coping) strategies more frequently than males. Team sport athletes reported a variety of sport-specific stressors relating to the demands of playing in a team environment. The group of national/international athletes reported using more planning, blocking, and visualization, and also reported that their coping was more effective than that of less-skilled athletes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Problem Solving
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychometrics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Sports / psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires