Psychological Flexibility and Competition Anxiety: A Study in Sport Psychology

Psychological flexibility enables athletes to maintain focus and adapt effectively under competitive pressure, which may help reduce competition anxiety. This study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological flexibility and competition anxiety among athletes, and to identify differences based on gender, age, and type of sport. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed. The sample consisted of 104 male and female athletes selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized measures of psychological flexibility and competition anxiety. Pearson correlation and three-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. The findings revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between psychological flexibility and competition anxiety (r = −0.23, p = .018), indicating a small effect size. Females reported significantly higher levels of competition anxiety than males (p < .001), while no significant differences were found based on age or type of sport. Psychological flexibility did not significantly differ across gender, age, or sport type. Psychological flexibility appears to play a protective role in reducing competition anxiety, although its effect is limited. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating psychological skills training programs, particularly for female athletes.