Sport Sciences Research institute Sport Psychology Studies 2345-2978 14 53 2025 09 23 The Role of Social Comparison Orientation, Self-Efficacy, and Competitive Anxiety in Enhancing Athletic Performance: A Psychological Model The Role of Social Comparison Orientation, Self-Efficacy, and Competitive Anxiety in Enhancing Athletic Performance: A Psychological Model 82 99 4624 10.22089/spsyj.2025.17558.2536 FA Leily Alizadeh Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Sports Science Department, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran. 0000-0001-5264-8253 Sahar Mohammadzadeh Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Sports Science Department, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran. 0000-0001-7917-3518 Journal Article 2024 12 17 Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of social comparison orientation on athletic performance, considering the mediating roles of self-efficacy and competitive anxiety among athletes. <br>Methods & Materials: The research was conceptually grounded in a model that explored the direct and indirect psychological determinants of athletic performance. Employing a descriptive-correlational design, the study involved 214 student-athletes (123 males and 91 females) participating in the 16th National Cultural-Sports Olympiad for University Students. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing social comparison orientation, general self-efficacy, competitive anxiety, and athletic performance. Structural equation modeling and Sobel tests were employed for analysis.<br>Results: The findings revealed that social comparison orientation significantly influenced athletic performance directly and indirectly. The mediating role of self-efficacy was stronger than that of competitive anxiety. Specifically, self-efficacy positively and competitive anxiety negatively impacted athletic performance. Moreover, social comparison orientation positively affected self-efficacy while negatively influencing competitive anxiety. These results indicate that social comparison orientation can effectively enhance athletic performance by boosting self-efficacy and mitigating the adverse effects of competitive anxiety.<br>Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of psychological interventions in managing factors associated with athletic performance. Coaches and sports psychologists are encouraged to implement strategies aimed at strengthening self-efficacy and reducing competitive anxiety. Additionally, longitudinal studies are recommended to examine the stability of these relationships across different age groups and levels of athletic expertise. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of social comparison orientation on athletic performance, considering the mediating roles of self-efficacy and competitive anxiety among athletes. <br>Methods & Materials: The research was conceptually grounded in a model that explored the direct and indirect psychological determinants of athletic performance. Employing a descriptive-correlational design, the study involved 214 student-athletes (123 males and 91 females) participating in the 16th National Cultural-Sports Olympiad for University Students. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing social comparison orientation, general self-efficacy, competitive anxiety, and athletic performance. Structural equation modeling and Sobel tests were employed for analysis.<br>Results: The findings revealed that social comparison orientation significantly influenced athletic performance directly and indirectly. The mediating role of self-efficacy was stronger than that of competitive anxiety. Specifically, self-efficacy positively and competitive anxiety negatively impacted athletic performance. Moreover, social comparison orientation positively affected self-efficacy while negatively influencing competitive anxiety. These results indicate that social comparison orientation can effectively enhance athletic performance by boosting self-efficacy and mitigating the adverse effects of competitive anxiety.<br>Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of psychological interventions in managing factors associated with athletic performance. Coaches and sports psychologists are encouraged to implement strategies aimed at strengthening self-efficacy and reducing competitive anxiety. Additionally, longitudinal studies are recommended to examine the stability of these relationships across different age groups and levels of athletic expertise. https://spsyj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4624_9d8df73a3cfbf3c5b47bc9b50f214aff.pdf