Relationship Between Physical Self-Concept, Body Image Dissatisfaction and Competition Anxiety in Female "Aesthetic" and "Non-Aesthetic" Collegiate Athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of physical self-concept and competitive trait anxiety through the use of body image dissatisfaction in female aesthetic and non-aesthetic athletes. While there was much published research available that was focused upon physical self-concept and competition anxiety, nothing done previously emphasizes the relationship between these variables while taking sport type (aesthetic or non-aesthetic) into account. The present study investigated the predictive qualities of physical self-concept and body image dissatisfaction for competitive trait anxiety in female aesthetic and non-aesthetic athletes. Female athletes from gymnastics and diving represented aesthetic athletes (n=52) and female athletes from swimming, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track, and golf represented non-aesthetic athletes (n=45). All participants competed at Division I universities located in the Southeastern United States and participants completed a survey comprised of three questionnaires that assessed: (1) physical self-concept, (2) body image dissatisfaction, and (3) competitive trait anxiety. Results indicated no significant difference between the sport types regarding physical self-concept and body image dissatisfaction, however, aesthetic athletes reported significantly higher levels of competitive trait anxiety than non-aesthetic athletes. A moderate negative correlation was found among the five subscales of physical self- concept, body image dissatisfaction, and competitive trait anxiety in aesthetic athletes. This indicated that low physical self-concept is associated with high body image dissatisfaction and high competitive trait anxiety in aesthetic athletes. A significant positive correlation between body image dissatisfaction and competitive trait anxiety was found in aesthetic athletes, meaning, a dissatisfied body image is associated with high levels of competitive trait anxiety. Physical self-concept was shown to have stronger causal paths to competitive trait anxiety, as well as body image dissatisfaction in aesthetic athletes than in non-aesthetic athletes. Further research in the area of physical self-concept, body image dissatisfaction, and competitive trait anxiety is needed to understand the explanatory power of the variables. Detailed athlete-specific instruments assessing body image dissatisfaction is recommended.