Examining the Relationship Between Boxers' Sports Achievement Goals and Sports Anxiety Levels

Hayri Akyüz; Bahar Zeze

doi:10.15391/prrht.2025-10(6).09

Authors

Hayri Akyüz Bayburt University, Bayburt, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8550-6689
Bahar Zeze Bayburt University, Bayburt, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3571-8317

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2025-10(6).09

Keywords:

Sports Achievement Goal, Sports Anxiety, Boxer

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between boxers' goal of success in sports and their levels of sports anxiety and to determine whether their goal of success in sports and their levels of sports anxiety differ according to demographic variables.

The research was conducted within the framework of descriptive and relational screening model methods. The population of the research consists of boxers who participated in the Turkish Individual Boxing Championship held in Bayburt province between June 28, 2025 and July 6, 2025. The research sample consists of n: 370 people selected from this population using simple random sampling method. Data collection tools included the "Personal Information Form," the "Sports Achievement Goal Scale (SAGS)", and the "Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS)." Data were analyzed using the SPSS 27.0 program. The normality of the data distribution was assessed using kurtosis and skewness tests, concluding that the data followed a normal distribution. Furthermore, reliability analysis of the scale sub-dimensions and total scores indicated that both were reliable. Descriptive statistics included frequency, mean, and standard deviation; t-tests and ANOVA were used to examine differences between variables; and Pearson Correlation Test was used to analyze relationships between variables. Tukey test was applied for multiple comparisons. Significance value (p<0.05) was considered in the data analysis.

Research findings: According to the t-test results, significant differences were found between the boxers' gender variable and the SAGS total scores and sub-dimensions in favor of male boxers (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the international degree status variable and the scale total scores and sub-dimensions (p>0.05). On the other hand, significant differences were found between the boxers' sport category variable and the SAGS total scores and sub-dimensions in the ANOVA test results (p<0.05). Furthermore, the correlation test results revealed no correlation between the participants' age and sport age variables and the scale sub-dimensions and total scores (p>0.05). In addition, a low-level, negative, and significant correlation was found between the weight class variable and the total scores and sub-dimensions of the SAGS (p<0.05). Moreover, a low-level, positive, and significant correlation was found between the participants' weekly sport activity duration variable and the "somatic" sub-dimension of the SAS (p<0.05).

Finally, low, moderate, and high-level positive correlations were found between the scale sub-dimensions and total scores. In conclusion, it can be said that as boxers' sports anxiety levels increase, their achievement goals in sports also increase. The findings indicate that boxers’ achievement goal orientations are important psychological determinants of competitive anxiety levels. These results provide important practical implications for training planning, psychological support practices, and particularly for rehabilitation-oriented interventions aimed at anxiety regulation. Taking achievement goal orientations into account may contribute to reducing injury risk, supporting recovery processes, and promoting long-term athlete health.

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