An examination of the relationship between psychological resilience and performance anxiety in volleyball referees

This study examined the relationship between volleyball referees’ psychological resilience levels and performance anxiety. The research was conducted on 416 active referees (166 female, 250 male) affiliated with the Turkish Volleyball Federation on a voluntary basis. Participants were administered a demographic information form, the Short Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0; descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. Findings indicated that referees’ psychological resilience levels were generally moderate to high. In terms of performance anxiety, referees exhibited moderate anxiety in certain sub-dimensions. Psychological resilience did not differ by gender; however, male referees showed significantly higher anxiety than female referees in the sub-dimensions of experiencing shame and embarrassment and fear of losing the interest of significant others. Regarding marital status, psychological resilience was similar, while single referees exhibited higher anxiety levels than married referees in certain sub-dimensions. Educational level had a clear positive effect on psychological resilience and showed significant differences in some anxiety sub-dimensions. Analyses of referee ranking and match experience indicated that national referees and those serving in national leagues had higher psychological resilience, whereas referees in lower leagues had higher levels of anxiety in some sub-dimensions. Regression analyses revealed that specific anxiety sub-dimensions had both enhancing and diminishing effects on psychological resilience. The study demonstrates that psychological resilience and performance anxiety in volleyball referees are related to demographic variables and professional experience, highlighting the importance of referee training programs and psychological support interventions.