Gender differences in competitive anxiety among student-athletes: An empirical analysis

This study investigates gender differences inrncompetitive anxiety among student-athletes, using the Competitive State AnxietyrnInventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R). Data were collected from 200 participants (141rnmale and 59 female athletes), with independent samples t-tests used to analyserndifferences across somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, self-confidence, andrntotal anxiety scores. Results revealed no significant gender differences inrnsomatic or cognitive anxiety. However, significant differences were found in self-confidencernand overall anxiety scores, with males reporting higher self-confidence andrnlower total anxiety levels. These findings suggest nuanced gender-basedrnpatterns in competitive anxiety, with implications for sports psychologyrninterventions and gender-sensitive coaching practices.