21st Annual Student Research Conference
Gender Differences in Trait Coping and Trait Anxiety in a Sample of Collegiate Athletes
Ashley B. Giles
Dr. Jennifer R. Hurst, Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in trait coping and trait anxiety among collegiate athletes. A sample of 279 male (n = 105) and female (n = 174) Division I and Division II athletes completed questionnaires which measured levels of trait anxiety and coping strategies the athlete tended to engage in during competition. The results indicated significant differences between the genders on emotional coping strategies utilized (t = 2.47, p < .05), somatic anxiety levels (t = -2.67, p < .01) and worry (t = -3.31, p < .001). Correlational analysis suggested that emotion coping strategies had significant moderate relationships with each of the three trait anxiety subscales (i.e. somatic anxiety, worry, concentration disruption) for both males and females. Despite some gender differences, athletes that experience higher levels of trait anxiety engage in more emotion coping strategies compared to their less anxious peers.
Keywords: Trait Coping, Trait Anxiety, Athletes, Gender
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 18-2
Location: VH 1010
Time: 10:00