Developing a Model of the Relationship between Trait Anxiety and the Components of Attentional Style in Athlete Students

The present study aimed to develop a model of the relationship between trait anxiety and the components of attentional styles in athlete students.

The current research strategy was descriptive and correlational, with the approach of developing a correlational model. In three stages, the attentional styles questionnaire was translated into Persian and was evaluated psychometrically. Its process consisted of the French version translation into Persian, re-translation into French, and the final translation. In this study, 245 athletes were selected conveniently from the student population of Shahid Beheshti University. Participants completed attentional styles and trait anxiety questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

Cronbach's alpha coefficient for two factors of top-down and bottom-up attention was 0.70 and 0.72, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the factor loadings of five items (items 2 and 4 of the top-down attention factor, and items 3, 8, and 9 of the bottom-up attention factor) were less than 0.4, so they were removed. SEM results showed that trait anxiety has an inverse and significant relationship with top-down attention and a direct and significant relationship with bottom-up attention.

The results of the present study highlighted the importance and necessity of paying attention to the relationship between trait anxiety and the components of attentional styles in athletes. Therefore, in planning training programs and improving sports performance, taking this relationship into account can be an effective step in preventing adverse outcomes in sports competitions.