Psychological profile of competitive anxiety among players of the Nineveh Education Directorate volleyball team

Abstract

       The current research aimed to identify the level of sports competition anxiety among the players of the Nineveh Education Directorate volleyball team and to analyze the scale's axes and their direction. The researchers used the descriptive method as it was suitable for the nature of the research, as the current research population consisted of 33 players from the Nineveh Education Directorate volleyball team The participants and regular trainees were included in the study, which was applied to the entire population due to the small number of participants. The research sample consisted of 25 players, while the reliability sample consisted of 8 players. The researcher used the SPSS statistical package to analyze the data and employed appropriate statistical methods, including the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, one-sample t-test, Cronbach's alpha, and correlation coefficient Simple person, percentage. The researcher concluded that competitive anxiety was high among the volleyball players of the Nineveh Education Directorate team, with cognitive anxiety being the most influential component. This reflects a negative cognitive pattern among the players. The researcher recommended designing and implementing specialized psychological training programs for volleyball players, focusing on training in cognitive coping skills and periodic and continuous assessment using a sports competitive anxiety scale.