Stress and coping among international adolescent golfers

Participation in competitive sport during adolescence has the potential to be extremely stressful (Goyen & Anshel, 1998). However, little is known about how young athletes cope with the stressors associated with their competitive sport involvement (Crocker & Isaak, 1997). There is a limitation of research findings to date because the inability to cope with stress is a significant factor in athletes’ performance failures (Lazarus, 2000). Adolescent athletes must learn how to cope with stress and respond positively to setbacks if they wish to pursue careers in elite adult sport (Holt & Dunn, 2004).