Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of competitive anxiety and coping strategies among powerlifting athletes at different competition levels (provincial, national, and international).
Methods: The statistical population of this study included 400 powerlifting athletes from Fars Province, who were randomly selected from participants in various competitions. Two questionnaires were used for data collection: the Competitive Anxiety Assessment Questionnaire to measure competitive anxiety levels and the Coping Strategies for Anxiety Questionnaire, which included 8 cognitive coping items, 6 physical coping items, and 3 negative coping items.
Findings: The results indicated a significant difference in the mean levels of competitive anxiety (total, cognitive, and physical) among the three groups (provincial, national, and international medal-winning athletes) (p<0.01). Specifically, the provincial medal-winning athletes experienced the highest level of competitive anxiety compared to the other two groups. Additionally, the results showed a significant difference between international and provincial medal-winning athletes in the use of cognitive coping strategies for competitive anxiety (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed among the groups in terms of negative coping strategies. Furthermore, the mean physical coping strategies for competitive anxiety differed significantly among all three groups (p<0.01), with international medal-winning athletes employing the highest number of cognitive and physical strategies to cope with anxiety.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate that competition level and athletic experience significantly influence the level of anxiety and coping strategies among athletes. Therefore, training in effective coping strategies for anxiety management can help improve athletes' performance at various competitive levels.
Pirani, H. and basereh, A. (2026). Examination of Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Powerlifting Athletes: A Comparison of Provincial, National, and International Levels. Sports Psychology, 17(2), -. doi: 10.48308/mbsp.2025.238139.1279
MLA
Pirani, H. , and basereh, A. . "Examination of Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Powerlifting Athletes: A Comparison of Provincial, National, and International Levels", Sports Psychology, 17, 2, 2026, -. doi: 10.48308/mbsp.2025.238139.1279
HARVARD
Pirani, H., basereh, A. (2026). 'Examination of Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Powerlifting Athletes: A Comparison of Provincial, National, and International Levels', Sports Psychology, 17(2), pp. -. doi: 10.48308/mbsp.2025.238139.1279
CHICAGO
H. Pirani and A. basereh, "Examination of Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Powerlifting Athletes: A Comparison of Provincial, National, and International Levels," Sports Psychology, 17 2 (2026): -, doi: 10.48308/mbsp.2025.238139.1279
VANCOUVER
Pirani, H., basereh, A. Examination of Competitive Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Powerlifting Athletes: A Comparison of Provincial, National, and International Levels. Sports Psychology, 2026; 17(2): -. doi: 10.48308/mbsp.2025.238139.1279
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