Substantial The Correlation Between Self-esteem And Sports Performance (Coursework Sample)

Self-Esteem in Sports Performance Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Author Note This essay was prepared for (course), tutored by (professor) Abstract Mental health is a crucial determinant in sports performance. In line with the existing relationship between a person’s psychological wellbeing and his or her performance in sports, this dissertation will address the concept of self-esteem from two perspectives. On one hand, it will be helpful to understand the role of self-esteem in sports performance. It will also be important to comprehend the role that sport play in improving or lowering a person’s self-esteem. Self-Esteem in Sports Performance Introduction Sports psychology is a multifaceted subject that involves the use of psychological knowledge to evaluate the wellbeing of sportspeople and address any underlying issues in sports settings. For a player to be successful, he or she has to exhibit mental and bodily health (Bagga, 2014, p. 21). In line with the sportspeople’s mental wellbeing, it is important to understand the correlation between self-esteem and sports performance. This research topic will be expounded on by tackling four Main questions: * Does self-esteem enhance sports performance? * Do sports impact one’s self-esteem? * Do team and individual sportspeople exhibit the same levels of self-esteem? * How is Morgan’s mental health model applicable in predicting the success of sportspeople? These research questions will be helpful in presenting a detailed report on various elements of sports psychology. There is a positive correlation between self-esteem and sports performance. Does Self-Esteem Enhance Sports Performance? Self-esteem influences one’s performance in physical activities and ultimately in professional sportsmanship. To begin with, confidence is a crucial component of successful sportsmanship. A self-confident individual believes in their capabilities to succeed in a particular task. Such a player will be in the right mental state to deal with any challenges that may arise prior to and during a competitive game. This is helpful in maintaining focus on the set short and long-term goals in terms of the expected sports performance. Moreover, a confident sportsperson strives to maintain an appealing track record as a way of rubberstamping the notion that he or she is the best player. While self-esteem and self-confidence have different meanings, they are intertwined. In fact, self-esteem is helpful in enhancing one’s self-confidence (Bagga, 2014, p. 45). A person who believes in his or her worth is likely to be certain of his or her capabilities. In line with the principles of sports psychology, such a player participates in games with the right attitude. Even when he or she fails to reach the set target in a game, he or she understands than such hurdles are meant to improve his or her mental toughness and sports performance. On the other hand, a player with low self-esteem perceives failure as a sign that he or she is not good at anything. These negative thoughts dampen their spirits to prepare for competitive games. From this perspective, failure to believe in one’s capabilities yields a negative attitude that is detrimental to a player’s performance. Additionally, there is a connection between self-esteem and mental health. In fact, a person with low self-esteem is at risk of suffering from depression. There are two approaches of viewing this interconnection. On one hand, the scar model indicates that depression erodes a person’s self-esteem. At the same time, the vulnerability theory states that the negative emotions and thoughts associated with low self-esteem often result in depression. In line with this correlation, the end result of self-esteem is mental unhealthiness (Craft, Magyar, Becker, & Feltz, 2003, p. 46). Notably, the psychological wellbeing of a player is one of the crucial requirements for a desirable performance. Accordingly, self-esteem determines a sportsperson’s psychological fitness and subsequent ability to meet the set performance targets. Furthermore, withdrawal is one of the symptoms of low self-esteem. Such individuals shut themselves from the outside world and are unwilling to participate in any social event. In sportspeople, this attitude may result in reluctance to attend routine workout sessions or other relevant undertakings (Tenenbaum & Eklund, 2014, p. 60). Subsequently, the affected player becomes physical and mentally unprepared for a competitive game. Ultimately, the player records poor performance. On the other hand, a person with high self-esteem has high spirits. This yields a positive mood state during workout sessions and competitive games; an aspect that contributes to good performance. The relationship between self-esteem and body image is also likely to affect a sportsperson’s performance. For example, most female players in certain sports such as rugby, boxing, and short put tend to be relatively big and muscular. Due to societal expectations, such females may feel unattractive and end up with low self-esteem (Bagga, 2014, p. 89). In extreme cases, such a player may end up suffering from eating disorders like anorexia in an attempt to fit the society’s description of a beautiful woman. Subsequently, the player in question lacks the physical energy needed to remain competent in sports. Likewise, exercise is one of the effective approaches of maintaining body fitness. Based on the connection between boy image and self-esteem, individuals who feel “unattractive” are likely to engage in routine workout sessions. In the process, one is likely to identify a talent in sports and subsequently develop into a successful career. Do Sports Impact One’s Self-Esteem? Body image is one of the areas that highlight the impact of sports on the participants’ self-esteem. The contemporary world is quick to judge individuals based on their physical appearance. The society upholds certain unrealistic features that males and females should have to be classified as being attractive. For instance, a significant percentage of the general populace perceives beautiful women as being curvy yet petite. Similarly, men are expected to be well built. Unfortunately, individuals who do not meet these social expectations are likely to suffer from low self-esteem. From this perspective, sports are a suitable avenue of enhancing one’s sense of self-worth. Physical exercises are a crucial component in all sports. Intense workout sessions are part of the daily lives of sportspeople. Due to the evident correlation between routine exercises and physical fitness, professional players often acquire a well-toned and generally attractive body. Tenenbeaum & Eklund (2014) indicate that by feeling confident about their physical appearance, such individuals develop a high sense of self-worth (91). However, sports can also trigger body image concerns. This is especially common among women. Due to the aggressive physical exercises incorporated in sports such as athletics and boxing, the female participants tend to be more muscular their non-athletic peers. For this reason, their physical appearance fails to concur with the society’s definition of a feminine body. The resultant body image concerns are likely to lower the self-esteem of such sportspeople. Moreover, accomplishments in a particular sport can increase one’s self esteem. Games are usually competitive and entail challenging tasks. Succeeding in these activities is mentally and emotionally fulfilling. This sense of accomplishment enhances one’s self esteem. Besides, a successful sportsperson receive loads of praises from his or her fans. Being recognized for their efforts in a particular sport augments their sense of self-worth (Bagga, 2014, p. 96). It is also important to note that a person’s accomplishments in a professional game may be the start of low self-esteem. Players interpret failure in different ways. For instance, if an athlete loses in one track event, he or she may see it as the outcome of inadequate preparations and strive to attain better results in future. On the other hand, the participant may take it personally and conclude that he or she can never be good at anything. The latter scenario can prompt the player to feel worthless. At the same time, some sportspeople allow their accomplishments and praises from their fans to get to their heads. The resultant fame and riches lead them to a destructive path that is characterized with drug abuse and promiscuity. Such players may end up suffering from drug addiction and impoverishment; problems that result in the abrupt end of their career in sports (Craft et al., 2003, p.49). These predicaments ultimately affect one’s self-esteem in a negative manner. In addition, life after active sportsmanship may lower a person’s self-esteem. Some players focus solely on their talent in sports. It becomes a case of “putting all the eggs in one basket”. They fail to invest in other aspects of their lives such as college education, family life, and profitable ventures. Notably, most sportspeople retire earlier than other professionals. If a player does not have a stable life outside the field, he or she may suffer from a low sense of self-worth (Besharat & Pourbohlool, 2011, p. 763). Upon retirement, such individuals do not have a social or commercial venture where they can derive happiness and fulfillment. Based on the notion that idleness has a negative impact on humans’ emotional and mental wellbeing, retired players who were not able to maintain a healthy work-life balance during their period of active sportsmanship are likely to end up feeling worthless. This sense of insignificance is escalated by the fact that the society does not accord retired players the acknowledgement they deserve. From this perspective, it is likely for a sportsperson to feel as though he or she is...