Social Physique Anxiety in Competitive Women Athletes

Social physique anxiety (SPA) is the anxiety that people feel when their physique or body is evaluated by others. This research explored the relationships among SPA, type of sport participation, and body size in female athletes. It was hypothesized that elite women athletes would have lower levels of SPA than nonelite athletes and that lightweight women athletes would have lower levels of SPA than heavyweight athletes. In Study 1, one hundred four women rowers participating in the World Indoor Rowing Championships completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart et al., 1989) and a demographic questionnaire. With regard to SPA for female rowers, there were no significant differences involving elite status and weight class. In Study 2, one hundred thirteen women swimmers of various competitive levels (NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, recreational) completed the SPAS and a demographic questionnaire. ANOVA indicated that NCAA Division I swimmers had lower SPA than recreational swimmers and that lightweight swimmers had lower SPA than heavyweight swimmers. The role of specific sport demands as they relate to SPA were discussed.