The Mediating Effect Model and Analysis of Sport Emotion on Wushu Routine Sport Performance: Self-Confidence as a Mediating Variable
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Objective: This study tested whether self-confidence mediates the relationship between sport emotion and Wushu routine (Taolu) performance, and whether the mediation pattern differs across competition levels.
Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional design was used. Participants were 491 Chinese collegiate Wushu Taolu athletes from 21 universities in Yunnan Province (mean age = 20.7 ± 1.3), recruited via stratified quota sampling. Sport emotion was assessed using the Sports Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS, 14 items). Self-confidence was measured via the self-confidence subscale of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2, 9 items). Performance was derived from official competition rankings converted into point scores across five competition levels (university to international). Analyses were conducted in SPSS 27, PROCESS v4.1 (5,000 bootstraps), and AMOS 28, including correlations, regression, SEM, and mediation tests; detailed mediation results were reported for the provincial level (P3) where model validity was supported.
Findings: At the provincial level (P3; n=91), sport emotion correlated with self-confidence (r=.516, p<.01) and performance (r=.408, p<.01), while self-confidence correlated with performance (r=.445, p<.01). Sport emotion significantly predicted performance (β=.408, R²=.166, p<.001). Mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect of sport emotion on performance through self-confidence (bootstrap 95% CI did not include zero), with a reduced but still significant direct effect, consistent with partial mediation. No robust mediation was supported in non-provincial levels.
Conclusion: Self-confidence partially mediates the effect of sport emotion on Wushu Taolu performance, particularly at the provincial competition level. Interventions that strengthen athletes’ self-confidence and emotion-related skills may enhance competitive performance.
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