A multi-study exploratory investigation into choking under pressure frequency, self-compassion, and depressive symptoms in athletes

This exploratory, quantitative multi-study paper aims to determine if self-compassion moderates the relationship between choking under pressure (i.e., choking) frequency and depressive symptoms. In Study 1, 213 athletes who currently competed in, or recently retired from, competitive sport agreed to complete a survey that included demographics information, choking frequency in the last year of sport participation, self-compassion scale, and depressive symptoms scale, questions. Moderation analysis found no significant moderation effects for self-compassion on choking frequency in the last year and depressive symptoms, which was likely the result of confounding variables in the Study 1 design. Thus, using an independent sample of 303 athletes, a follow-up study (i.e., Study 2) was conducted. Methodological changes included controlling for confounding variables present in Study 1, alongside choking frequency measured within the last 3 months and 1 month. Study 2 findings indicated that a positive relationship between choking frequency and depressive symptoms exists. Furthermore, a significant moderation effect occurred for self-compassion on choking frequency within the last 3 months and depressive symptoms in the overall sample. Athletes with low self-compassion showed stronger positive associations between choking frequency within the last 3 months and depressive symptoms, while those with higher self-compassion exhibited resilience to the negative effects of choking. This multi-study paper was the first study, to date, to identify that self-compassion may moderate the association between choking frequency and adverse mental health outcomes, such that lower self-compassion may heighten vulnerability, whereas higher self-compassion may provide a potential protective buffer, to adverse mental health consequences following choking experiences.