The Effect of Anxiety and Aggression on Youth Female Handball Players’ Performance the Case of Addis Ababa City

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Department of Sport Science, College of Natural and Computational Science, Jinka University, Jinka, Ethiopia

2 Department of Sport Science, Sport Academy, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

10.22091/frs.2026.13568.1096

Abstract

This study investigated how anxiety and aggression influence game performance among U-17 female handball players in Addis Ababa City. Psychological readiness was hypothesized to significantly affect in-game effectiveness.
A correlational, quantitative design was employed. Eighty players were selected from four project centers. Anxiety and aggression were measured using the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). A custom observation checklist assessed game performance. Pearson's r and multiple regression analysis were run in SPSS 27.
A strong negative relationship was found between anxiety and game performance (r = -0.883, p < 0.001) and between aggression and game performance (r = -0.870, p < 0.001). Regression identified anxiety as the stronger predictor of reduced performance. Mean anxiety = 2.45 (SD = 0.70); aggression = 2.4 (SD = 0.69); performance = 3.72 (SD= 0.64).
Both anxiety and aggression significantly impair performance in youth female handball players, with anxiety exerting a stronger effect. Mental skills training and behavioral regulation strategies are recommended to mitigate these issues.

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 19 April 2026
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2026

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