The Determinant Role of Self-Confidence Sources Management on Challenge and Threat Levels in Combat Athletes

This study aimed to investigate athletes’ self-confidence in resource management and their levels of challenge and threat. The sample of the study consisted of 259 athletes, 100 female and 159 male, who were doing sports in private and public fight clubs in Ağrı, Batman, Muş and Van provinces. In the data collection part of the study, “Personal Information Form” prepared by the researchers, “Sources of sport-Confidence Questionnaire” adapted into Turkish by Miçooğulları and Kirazcı and “The Challenge and Threat in Sport Scale” adapted into Turkish by Gürbüz et al. were used. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between athletes’ sources of self-confidence and their challenge s and threat, and a regression test was used to determine the effect. The results showed a positive and moderate relationship between SSCQ and challenge (r=.517 p=.001, one of the sub-dimensions of the CAT-Sport. The total score (R2=.231 p=.001), expertise (R2=.258 p=.001), and physical and mental preparation (R2=.245 p=.001) sub-dimensions of the SSCQ showed a positive effect on the challenge sub-dimension of the CAT-Sport. These statements can be considered to positively affect athletes’ performance by turning into challenge if they can manage their self-confidence resources correctly. These findings suggest that athletes’ self-confidence resources, especially physical and mental preparation and perceptions of expertise, play an important role in increasing their challenge levels. In this context, it is suggested that strategies to improve athletes’ self-confidence resources may increase their ability to cope with challenge.