Jambura Arena Sport
Vol 3, No 2 (2026): July 2026. Innovative Sports Education

Psychological resilience and competitive anxiety among professional athletes during high stakes international tournaments

Andi Wijaya (Universitas Gajah Mada)
Robert J Miller (Rutger University)
Hiroshi Tanaka (Waseda University)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Jul 2026

Abstract

The psychological demands of international competition are immense, yet there is a lack of comprehensive research investigating the specific interaction between trait resilience and state anxiety during high-stakes events. While physical skills are often equalized at the elite level, the mental mechanisms that determine success remain under-explored. This study aims to investigate how psychological resilience mediates competitive anxiety and affects overall performance outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the researchers analyzed data from 250 elite athletes across multiple disciplines using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and physiological stress markers. The findings reveal a significant inverse correlation between resilience levels and cognitive anxiety, suggesting that high-resilience athletes maintain superior executive function under pressure. This research introduces a novel "Resilience-Performance Paradox" model, which explains why certain athletes thrive specifically during peak stress conditions. We are confident that these results provide a robust foundation for the implementation of mandatory psychological resilience protocols in national sports programs, ensuring that athletes are mentally equipped for the rigors of global competition.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jas

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Health Professions Public Health Other

Description

In the Jambura Arena Sport Focus and Scope in the Sports Sector Sports Science, Sports Training, Sports ...