The influence of parental and coach pressure on competitive state anxiety: The mediating role of emotional intelligence

Competitive state anxiety is one of the most extensively researched topics in sport psychology due to its crucial role in determining athletes’ performance and well-being. Therefore, it seems relevant to identify factors that influence adolescent athletes’ anxiety especially in sports where scientific literature is scarce, such as water polo. This study examines the relationship between parental and coach pressure for perfectionism, players’ emotional intelligence and their competitive state anxiety. The sample comprised 304 water polo players (males = 209, females = 94, other = 1) from Spain, aged between 12 and 18 years ( M age = 14.10 ± 1.58 years). Two a priori models (full and partial mediation) were estimated and the best-fitting model was later analyzed for gender invariance. Results showed that the partially mediated model fit the data well and was invariant across genders. Coach pressure negatively predicted emotional intelligence and positively predicted cognitive and somatic anxiety. Additionally, there was a negative and significant indirect effect from coach pressure to self-confidence; that is, emotional intelligence plays a mediating role between coach pressure and self-confidence. On the other hand, parental pressure had a direct effect on somatic anxiety and emotional intelligence directly predicted self-confidence. The study highlights the importance of considering both environmental factors and individual psychological characteristics when addressing competitive state anxiety. Future research and interventions should focus on coach and parent-education programs, as well as developing emotional intelligence in athletes for managing external pressure to optimize their well-being.