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Thinking Aloud: Stress and Coping in Junior Cricket Batsmen During Challenge and Threat States

McGreary, Michael; Whitehead, Amy; Morris, Robert; Eubank, Martin

Authors

Amy Whitehead

Robert Morris

Martin Eubank



Abstract

The present study examined stress and coping of cricket batsmen during challenge and threat states using the Think-Aloud method. Ten male elite-level junior cricket batsmen took part in the study. A repeated measures design was implemented, with participants verbalizing while both in (a) a threat state and (b) a challenge state. Participants were required to score 36 runs in 30 balls during the threat and challenge conditions. Verbalizations were subsequently transcribed verbatim and analyzed for stressors, coping strategies, and any other reoccurring themes. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to examine differences in the number of verbalizations made for each theme between conditions. Ten secondary themes were grouped into four primary themes; these included (a) stressors, (b) problem-focused coping, (c) emotion-focused coping, and (d) gathering information. There were significant differences( p⩽0.05) between stressor verbalizations, with significantly more verbalizations made by participants during a threat state. No significant differences were found between any other themes. Thus, during a threat state, participants reported significantly more stressor verbalizations compared to a challenge state, while there were no significant differences in coping strategies reported (p>0.05). This finding offers a potential explanation for why athletic performance diminishes when in a threat state, as athletes then experience a greater number of stressors but do not report engaging in more coping strategies.

Citation

McGreary, M., Whitehead, A., Morris, R., & Eubank, M. (2020). Thinking Aloud: Stress and Coping in Junior Cricket Batsmen During Challenge and Threat States. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 127(6), 1095–1117. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125209389

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Jul 8, 2020
Publication Date Dec 1, 2020
Deposit Date Feb 13, 2024
Journal Perceptual and Motor Skills
Print ISSN 0031-5125
Publisher Ammons Scientific
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 127
Issue 6
Pages 1095–1117
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125209389
Publisher URL https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0031512520938911