The Relationship between Imagery and Self-Efficacy in Competitive Athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a relationship exists between self-efficacy and the use of imagery by athletes involved in individual sports. It was expected that athletes who were high in self-efficacy would more likely use imagery than those who were low in self-efficacy. Fifty varsity athletes involved in wrestling, rowing, and track and field completed both the Sport Imagery Questionnaire [1] and a self-efficacy questionnaire. Results revealed that athletes who are high in self-efficacy in competition situations tend to use more motivational imagery than their low self-efficacy counterparts. No such differences were found for cognitive imagery use in competition, or for the use of either motivational or cognitive imagery in practice.