Self-presentation concerns may contribute towards the understanding of athletes' affect when trialling for a new sports team

Citation

Renfrew J, Howle TC & Eklund R (2017) Self-presentation concerns may contribute towards the understanding of athletes' affect when trialling for a new sports team. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 29 (4), pp. 484-492. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2017.1298167

Abstract
A vignette-based experimental manipulation was used to examine the impact of self-presentation concerns on athletes’ affect and cognitive appraisal. Others’ reactions were described, so as to emphasize or de-emphasize self-presentation concerns. Athletes given cause to believe that they were generating unfavourable impressions experienced more negative affect and reported more threat-based appraisal. Athletes exposed to information de-emphasizing self-presentation concerns experienced more positive affect and reported more of a challenge-based appraisal. The findings indicate a potential opportunity (e.g., de-emphasising self-presentation concerns, providing a supportive interpersonal environment) that others (e.g., coaches and teammates) could act on to improve athlete experiences during sports trials.

Keywords
Impression management; competitive; perceptions; social; anxiety

Journal
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology: Volume 29, Issue 4