Intolerance of Uncertainty and Competitive State Anxiety in Athletes: The Role of Cognitive Flexibility

This study investigates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and competitive state anxiety in athletes, emphasizing the moderating role of cognitive flexibility. Athletes with high intolerance of uncertainty may experience increased competitive state anxiety, which can impair performance. Cognitive flexibility, the ability to adapt to new situations, and generate alternative solutions is proposed as a potential buffer against this anxiety. Data from 261 athletes were analyzed using hierarchical regression. The results indicated a positive relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and competitive state anxiety, while cognitive flexibility showed a negative relationship with competitive state anxiety. In particular cognitive flexibility moderated the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive state anxiety, suggesting that athletes with higher cognitive flexibility experience reduced cognitive state anxiety in uncertain competitive situations. These findings highlight cognitive flexibility as an important intervention target to reduce anxiety and enhance athletic performance in uncertain conditions through training and education.