Exploring the Mechanisms Influencing Psychological Adaptation in Athletes in High-risk Sports: a Moderated Mediation Model

This study explores the impact of state and trait anxiety on perceived stress in athletes in high-risk sports, focusing on the mediating role of cognitive reappraisal and the moderating effect of sports psychological skills. Data were collected from athletes in sports like Boxing, Sanda, Mixed Martial Arts, Freestyle Skiing, and Ski Jumping. The analysis, conducted using the PROCESS macro revealed that both state and trait anxiety significantly predict perceived stress (β = 0.331, p < 0.001; β = 0.500, p < 0.001). Cognitive reappraisal strategies negatively mediate this relationship (β = -0.117, p < 0.001; β = -0.176, p < 0.001). Sports psychological skills moderate the relationship between anxiety and cognitive reappraisal (β = -0.094, p < 0.001; β = -0.091, p < 0.001). Female athletes reported higher levels of anxiety and stress, whereas male athletes were more likely to use cognitive reappraisal. Greater injury severity was associated with increased anxiety and stress, but cognitive reappraisal and sports psychological skills remained stable across injury levels. These findings contribute to an understanding of psychological adaptation in high-risk sports athletes and have implications for targeted psychological interventions.