Abstract
This systematic review examined the complex relationship between anxiety and sports performance in adult athletes, along with exploring effective approaches for enhancing both performance and psychological well-being. Through analysis of 18 studies spanning diverse sports and competitive levels, this research identifies key factors that influence anxiety responses and performance outcomes. Findings revealed that competition level, performance-goal discrepancies, and injury recovery significantly impact anxiety levels, with athletes' interpretations of anxiety symptoms proving more influential than symptom intensity alone. The research demonstrates that mental toughness and self-efficacy function as fundamental psychological resources, though their impact appears to plateau at elite competitive levels. Coach-athlete relationships emerged as crucial mediator of both performance and well-being, particularly when characterized by affect-based trust and humble leadership behaviors. Effective interventions for enhancing performance and reducing anxiety included individualized pre-performance routines, mindfulness training, and emotional intelligence-based coaching approaches. These interventions proved most effective when tailored to athletes' specific needs and competitive contexts. This review highlights the importance of developing integrated approaches that address both internal psychological resources and external support systems. The findings suggest that practitioners should prioritize helping athletes develop adaptive interpretations of anxiety symptoms and fostering supportive coach-athlete relationships. Future research should include more diverse participant samples, incorporate longitudinal designs to evaluate long-term intervention effectiveness, and integrate objective performance measures with psychological assessments to provide more comprehensive evidence of intervention outcomes.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Sports—Psychological aspects; Performance anxiety; Athletes—Psychology; Coach-athlete relationships
Date of Award
2026
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Psychology
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Erlanger Turner
Recommended Citation
Glaspie-Walton, Taylor, "The effects of anxiety on adult athletes and approaches to improving performance and well-being" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 1691.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1691