The effectiveness of self-talk to increase self-confidence, emotional regulation and motivation in athletes

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of self-talk in improving confidence, emotional regulation, and achievement motivation in athletes at SMA 4 Sumbar. Methods: The sample consisted of 24 athletes (18 males, 6 females) aged 16-18 years (mean age 16.7 years, SD = 1.2 years). The research method used a pretest-posttest control group design. The experimental group received self-talk intervention for 4 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Confidence was measured using the State Sport Confidence Inventory (SSCI) with a reliability of 0.919, emotional regulation using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) with reliabilities of 0.85 (cognitive reappraisal) and 0.79 (expressive suppression), and achievement motivation using the scale by Muthee and Thomas (2009) with a reliability of 0.886. Results and Conclusions: Multivariate analysis showed significant p-values (p < 0.05), indicating significant differences between groups. Results indicated that self-talk increased confidence (F = 1.5678, p = 0.041, R² = 0.1134), emotional regulation (F = 1.2345, p = 0.035, R² = 0.0956), and achievement motivation (F = 1.3471, p = 0.027, R² = 0.1021). Cohen's d indicated large effects on all three variables (0.85, 0.92, 1.05). This study proves that positive self-talk is effective as an intervention in athletic training.

Keywords

• Self-talk
• self-confidence
• emotional regulation
• achievement motivation
• athlete performance