The interplay between motivational climate, competitive anxiety and coping strategies in acrobatic gymnasts
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This study investigated the interplay between motivational climate, competitive anxiety, and coping strategies among 106 Portuguese acrobatic gymnasts (M age = 14.08, SD age = 1.99; 90.6% female), who completed three self-report measures previously adapted to the Portuguese context (PMCSQ-2, SAS-2, and Brief COPE). Mediation analysis results partially supported the study’s hypothesis, revealing a significant indirect association between ego-involving climate and competitive anxiety through maladaptive coping strategies. In contrast, adaptive coping did not mediate the association between task-involving climate and anxiety, suggesting alternative protective mechanisms. Moderation analysis revealed that competitive division moderated the relationship between task-involving climate and sport anxiety. These findings highlight coping processes as a key explanatory mechanism linking ego-involving climates and competitive anxiety. Practical implications are advanced, focusing on the reduction of motivational cues that reinforce avoidance and self-blame and the importance of promoting cooperation and mastery-oriented feedback within training contexts.
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