Abstract

This paper examined if 25 age-class swimmers (10-16years of age) used a consistent coping style during three competitions and the training sessions in the one week period after the competitions. Eight coping categories were assessed for competitions within an one hour period following a race. The data was analyzed by calculating three variance components, person, situation, and person x situation (Morrow, 1989). The findings indicated a lack of coping consistency (high person x situation variance component) for most coping categories except active coping. Coping during the training sessions was assessed using 12 coping categories. The findings indicated that, in contrast to the competition data, many of the coping scales showed relative stability (low person x situation variance component). The findings suggest that age-class swimmers may exhibit different coping patterns across competition and training sessions. The discussion addresses various reasons for these differences including ego-involvement and measurement of coping. Verf.-Referat