Cognitive predictors of junior athletes' coping strategies in challenging competitive situations

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the cognitive predictors of junior athletes' choice of coping strategies in difficult competitive situations in sports activities (n = 118). Methods: Valid psychodiagnostic methodologies, mathematical statistics for data analysis, and methods for interpreting empirical results were used. Results: Significant direct correlations were established between task-oriented coping and the following variables: “critical thinking” (R = .300; p ˂ .010; R2 = .090), “awareness of conflict situations” (R = .388; p ˂ .010; R2 = .150), “skills in resolving conflict situations” (R = .330; p ˂ .010; R2 = .108), and “ability to resolve conflict situations” (R = .304; p ˂ .010; R2 = .092). Emotion-focused coping has significant inverse correlations with “critical thinking” (R = -.234; p ˂ .050; R2 = .054), “flexible thinking” (R = -.250; p ˂ .050; R2 = .062), “ability to resolve conflict situations” (R = -.227; p ˂ .050; R2 = .051), “communication skills” (R = -.283; p ˂ .010; R2 = .080), and “organizational skills” (R = -.223; p ˂ .050; R2 = .049). The predictors of task-oriented coping include “awareness of conflict situations” (β = .235), “critical thinking” (β = .235), “organisational skills” (β = .229), and “ability to resolve conflict situations” (β = .206). Emotion-focused coping is commonly chosen by respondents with low levels of “communication skills” (β = -.248), “flexible thinking” (β = -.212), and “critical thinking” (β = -.207). Discussion and conclusions. It was found that the most significant predictors of adaptive coping strategies include critical thinking and flexible thinking as components of the cognitive process of mental reflection. They ensure junior athletes’ awareness of difficult life situations and ability to cope with them. The research shows that the maximum involvement of cognitive structures for assessing a competitive situation maintains the meaning-creating function of coping. The prospects for further research can be seen in examining the value and meaning predictors of junior athletes’ selection of coping strategies in difficult competitive situations.