Presentation of positive stimuli as procedure for controlling the anxiety in stressful situations

Abstract

This study was conducted to experimentally substantiate the interest of developing an intervention for reducing anxiety through the presentation of positive stimuli, assessed individually. The sample characteristics are: Seville 60 athletes (mean age 21.6 years), divided by sex and type of sport (individual or team). This study is the integration of  psychophysiological profile results and the effect of the presentation of words and positive images in the competitive sports anxiety, failure to feedback. The results of analysis of variance with repeated measures are as follows: There are
significant differences in temperature of the left hand F (3.168) = 35.330 p = 0.000, significant differences in temperature of the right hand F (3.168) = 40.750 p = 0.000, significant differences in heart rate F (3.168) = 48.378 p = 0.000, significant differences in the subjective assessment F (3.168) = 56.560 p = 0.000. In conclusion, the psychophysiological profile is a useful tool for the assessment of anxiety and in this case in sport, in turn presenting individualized positive words and images has shown a tendency to decrease the anxiety response. The results obtained show the relevance of this practice (exposure to positive stimuli) for anxiety, suggesting, thus, its usefulness in therapeutic intervention programs aimed at the control and management of this emotional response.

CITE AS:

Estrada Contreras, O., Pérez Córdoba, E.A. & Álvarez Fernández, M.A. (2010). Presentación de estímulos positivos como procedimiento para controlar la ansiedad en situaciones estresantes. Apuntes de Psicología, 28, 225-236.