The Usage of Cognitive, Somatic and Negative Coping Strategies by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) athletes

Background of the Study: Ability to cope with pressure and anxiety to increase performance is an integral part of sports. There is considerable evidence in support of the relationship between anxiety and coping strategies and performance of athletes. Coping strategies can be divided into cognitive, somatic and negative. Cognitive coping strategies are imagery, thought stopping, focus in the present, think practice, worst-case scenario, keep active, positive self-talk, simulation and goal-setting. Whereas somatic coping strategies, which include in the present research are progressive relaxation, meditation, breath control, autogenic training and biofeedback. Athletes also found using negative coping strategies like drugs, alcohol and smoking.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usage of cognitive, somatic and negative coping strategies according to gender. Besides that, the present study also finds the correlations between coping strategies and sport performance.
Study Design: Comparative descriptive study design was used to compare Cognitive, Somatic and Negative Coping Strategies among athletes.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: The sample consisted of 98 athletes, male (N=53) and female (N= 45). The data was collected during sport between universities.
Methodology: The instrument used for the study comprised of a 26-item of Cognitive, Somatic and Negative Coping Strategies. In additional, the study also used Sport Performance Questionnaire.
Results: Result showed that male athletes used more cognitive, somatic and negative coping strategies. The result also showed that those athletes, who highly used cognitive, somatic and negative coping strategies, their performance increase.
Conclusion: Therefore, sport psychologist and coach should encourage female athletes to use more coping strategies, since it increases sport performances. Even though, negative coping strategies also enhance performance, but sport psychologist, sport counselor and coach, should discourage athletes use it, since it can cause negative effect to health and consider as unethical behavior.