Influence of Competitive Anxiety and Psychological Resilience on Athletes Sports Performance [A survey Club Level Athletes District Dera Ismail Khan]

Abstract

This research study focused on examined the influence of competitive anxiety and psychological resilience on athletic performance among club-level athletes, with particular emphasis on the moderating role of resilience in the anxiety performance relationship. A quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design was employed, involving 291 club-level athletes selected through probability random sampling from a population of 615 registered athletes in District Dera Ismail Khan. Data were collected using standardized and validated scales measuring competitive anxiety (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence), psychological resilience, and athletic performance. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and moderation analysis using interaction terms. The findings show that competitive anxiety was significantly and negatively associated with athletic performance, while psychological resilience demonstrated a strong positive relationship with performance. Regression results confirmed that competitive anxiety negatively predicted performance, whereas psychological resilience emerged as a stronger positive predictor. Importantly, moderation analysis indicated a significant interaction effect, showing that psychological resilience weakened the negative impact of competitive anxiety on athletic performance. Athletes with higher resilience maintained better performance levels despite experiencing competitive anxiety. Additionally, significant differences were observed across age groups, ethnicity, and locality in anxiety, resilience, and performance levels. On the basis of data analysis, the results highlight psychological resilience as a critical protective factor that enhances performance and buffers the detrimental effects of competitive anxiety. This study contributes to sport psychology literature by demonstrating the interactive role of anxiety and resilience in shaping athletic performance. The findings underscore the importance of integrating resilience-building and psychological skills training into athlete development programs to promote consistent and sustainable performance under competitive pressure.