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Psychological Correlates of Flow in Sport
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine possible psychological correlates of flow in a sample of older athletes. Both state and trait, or dispositional flow states, were examined. Masters athletes completed questionnaire assessments on two occasions while competing at an international masters sport competition. The participants (398) completed a questionnaire assessing intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, goal orientation, trait anxiety, perceived ability, and typical flow experiences (trait) when participating in sport. Of these participants, 213 completed a questionnaire after and in relation to one event they competed in at the Games. This second questionnaire assessed state flow, as well as perceptions of success, skills, and challenges in a selected sport event. Correlational and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine psychological correlates of state and trait flow. Patterns of relationships were found between flow and perceived ability, anxiety, and an intrinsic motivation variable. Understanding flow and its relationship with other psychological variables are discussed.
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“Jackson et al. (1998) have emphasized that the cognitive aspects of anxiety, such as lack of concentration and worries, play a more significant role in impeding flow states compared to physiological aspects.”
From Mindfulness and self-rated performance among novice athletes in China: a sequential mediating role of flow and cognitive anxiety (2025) · cites this paper as Jackson et al., 1998
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“(15) Jackson et al. (1998; 2001) identified those psychological factors that are expected to be in connection with this aspect of flow in order to study the constituents of determination of personal internal intention and determination.”
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“Though non-elite athletes have offered descriptions in close agreement with certain characteristics of flow (Jackson et al., 1998), there is a shortage in research that suggests which characteristics are most important.”
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“In particular, research in sport psychology has largely contributed to the study of flow concept in athletes (e.g. Jackson, 1992, 1995, 1996; Jackson et al., 1998) and to the development of selfreport instruments to assess flow experience (Jackson & Eklund, 2002; Jackson & Marsh, 1996; Marsh &…”
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“Most prior studies have addressed these constructs independently or only in pairwise relationships, often focusing on competitive or elite athlete populations (Jackson et al., 1998; Swann, 2016; Swann et al., 2018).”
Metadata
- Authors
- Jackson, S. A., Ford, S. K., Kimiecik, J. C., & Marsh, H. W.
- Affiliations
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Miami University (US)
- Western Sydney University (AU)
- Venue
- Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 1998-12
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 358-378
- ISSN
- 0895-2779 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-2904
- OpenAlex
- W2126256904
- Cited by
- 408
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 2.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Flow Experience in Various Fields
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Keywords
- flow, older athletes, masters athletes, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, goal orientation, trait anxiety, perceived competence, athletic performance, psychological correlates
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