Research Article

STRESS COPING TECHNIQUES FOR NIGERIAN WOMEN IN SPORT

1 Faculty of Education, National Open University of Nigeria
* Corresponding author: tangba@noun.edu.ng
Published: Aug, 2025
Pages: 100-106
Views: 17
Downloads: 7

Abstract

Stress refers to pressure, tension, or worries arising from problematic situations in an individual’s life. There has been an influx of women into the labour force; this is due to the far-reaching changes in sports activities for women all over the world, and in Nigeria in particular. The sport sector in Nigeria has experienced changes in the increment number of women entering the profession in recent years. This study explored the sources of stress and use of coping styles and techniques among Nigerian women in sport. Common sources of stress identified were injury and illness, pressures of competition, the referee, conflict with the coach, and spectators. Studies suggest that interventions designed to reduce stress should seek to increase the use of avoidance and approach styles to cope with stress.  

References

  1. Akorede, S. N., Ajayi, A., Toyin, A., & Uwadia, G. (2021). Influence of COVID-19 on the psychological wellbeing of tertiary institution students in Nigeria. Tanzania Journal of Science, 47(1), 70-79.
  2. Austin, M. (2015). Listening to the Voices in Your Head: Identifying and Adapting Athletes' Self-talk. Australian Sports Commission. Retrieved from http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/psychology2/listeningtothevoicesinyourheadidentifyingandadaptingathletesself-talk.
  3. Baumeister, R. F., & Steinhilber, A. (1984). Paradoxical effects of supportive audiences on performance under pressure: The home field disadvantage in sports championships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47(1), 85.
  4. Cohn, P. (2015). Why Fear of Failure Leads to Tentative Play. Peak Performance Sports. Retrieved from http://www.peaksports.com/sports_psychology_blog/?p=851
  5. Csíkszentmihályi, M. (2001, February 1). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.
  6. Giblin, C. (2015). 10 Most Interesting Superstitious Rituals of Professional Athletes. Men's Fitness. Retrieved from http://www.mensfitness.com/life/sports/10-most-interesting-superstitious-rituals-of-professional-athletes/slide/7
  7. Harrison, D. (2013). Goal Setting. Believe Perform. http://believeperform.com/performance/goal-setting/
  8. Harvard Health Publications. (2011) Understanding the stress response. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understandingthe-stress-response
  9. Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Theodorakis, Y., & Zourbanos, N. (2004). Self-talk in the swimming pool: The effects of self-talk on thought content and performance on water-polo tasks. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 16(2), 138-150.
  10. Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Zourbanos, N., Galanis, E., & Theodorakis, Y. (2011). Self-Talk and Sports Performance: A Meta-Analysis. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(4), 348-356.
  11. John, D. S., Verma, D. S. K. & Khanna, D. G. L. (2011). The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on HPA-Axis in Pre-Competition Stress in Sports Performance of Elite Shooters. National Journal of Integrated Research in Medicine, 2 (3), 15-21.
  12. Karageorghis, C. (2010). Sports Performance Bulletin. Sports Psychology: Self-confidence in sport – Make your ego work for you! Retrieved from http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/sports-psychology-self-confidence-in-sportmake-your-ego-work-for-you-39657#
  13. Kornspan, A. (2009). Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Human Kinetics. Retrieved from http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/goalsetting-helps-athletes-perform
  14. Landin, D., & Hebert, E. P. (2009). The influence of self-talk on the performance of skilled female tennis players. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 11(2), 263-282.
  15. Medical News Today. What is Stress? How to Deal With Stress. (2015, August 6) Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145855.php
  16. Mills, H., Reiss, N., Dombeck, M. (2008). Self-Efficacy and the Perception of Control in Stress Reduction. Mental Help. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/self-efficacy-and-the-perception-ofcontrol-in-stress-reduction/
  17. Mind & Sport Institute. (2015). Meditation. Retrieved from http://www.mindandsport.org/portfolio/meditation-2/
  18. Nauert, R. (2011, September 23). Rituals Help to Relieve Stress. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/09/23/rituals-help-torelievestress/29716.html
  19. Scanlan, T. K., & Lewthwaite, R. (2008). Social psychological aspects of competition for male youth sport participants: IV. Predictors of enjoyment. Journal of Sport Psychology, 8(1), 25-35.
  20. Schwarzer, R. Taylor & Francis. Self-Efficacy: Thought Control of Action. (1992, April 1)
  21. Shaftel, D. (2015). Novak Djokovic: The Unloved Champion. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/fashion/mensstyle/novak-djokovic-how-to-be-a-champion.html?_r=0
  22. Taylor, J. (2010). Sports: Building Confidence: Part 1. How strong is your confidence "muscle"?. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201009/sportsbuilding-confidenceparti
  23. Wegela, K. (2010). How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-courage-bepresent/201001/how-practice-mindfulness-meditation
  24. Yu, C. (2014). Mindfulness for Athletes: The Secret to Better Performance? Daily Burn. Retrieved from http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/mindfulness-techniquesathletes.
How to Cite

Angba, T. O. (2025). STRESS COPING TECHNIQUES FOR NIGERIAN WOMEN IN SPORT. Global Journal of Health Related Researches, 7(2), 100-106. https://doi.org/10.67203/gjhrr.2025.r0qf4y6l

T. O. Angba, "STRESS COPING TECHNIQUES FOR NIGERIAN WOMEN IN SPORT," Global Journal of Health Related Researches, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 100-106, August 2025. doi: 10.67203/gjhrr.2025.r0qf4y6l

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn