Abstract

This study examined the relationship between gender role endorsement and competitive trait and state anxiety. Followwing completion of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, subjects (37 female and 60 male) were classified as either masculine or feminine role endorsing. Subjects then responded to the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 on five occassions during the week preceding an important competition, as well as completing the Sport Competition Anxiety Test. The results revealed that masculine males reported lowest levels of trait anxiety but no differences in anxiety levels emerged between feminine males, masculine females, and feminine females. The findings for cognitive state anxiety revealed major differences between the two groups of males, with feminine males being significantly higher than masculine males at every stage of testing. Similarly, within the females, feminine females reported higher levels than masculine females also reported less cognitive anxiety than feminine males throughout the precompetition period. The findings for somatic state enxiety revealed that masculine males and feminine females reported lowest levels and that the temporal patterning for all four groups was very similar. The results for self-confidence also revealed differences between the two groups of male subjects with masculine males reporting greater levels. No differences in levels of self-confidence emerged between the two female groups. Verf.-Referat