Investigating the effect of attentional focus on competitive state anxiety and performance under pressure: a mixed-methods study

Performance anxiety is a common challenge in competitive sport, often impairing execution through cognitive worry, somatic tension, and reduced self-confidence. This mixed-methods study examined whether attentional focus strategies (internal vs. external) influence competitive state anxiety and performance under pressure. Twenty-three male Thai university athletes completed two counterbalanced 1000 m rowing trials on an ergometer, adopting either an internal focus (IF) or external focus (EF) of attention. Psychological responses were assessed using the Mental Readiness Form-3 (MRF-3) before each trial and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R) immediately after, adapted to reflect perceived in-task experience. Performance time and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were also recorded. Quantitative analyses revealed no significant effect of focus condition on anxiety, self-confidence, or performance outcomes. However, pre-task cognitive anxiety significantly predicted in-task cognitive and somatic anxiety, and pre-task self-confidence significantly predicted in-task self-confidence. Qualitative data provided additional insight into how athletes experienced the attentional focus conditions, revealing that individual preferences, task familiarity, and perceived control shaped their responses. These findings suggest that psychological readiness to perform may play a more influential role than attentional cueing in shaping athletes’ ability to manage pressure and perform effectively. They also highlight the importance of tailoring attentional strategies to the specific demands of the task and the individual athlete’s psychological state. Implications for sport psychology research and applied practice are discussed.