Wilson, G., & Raglin, J. (1998). Optimism-pessimism, performance, and precompetition anxiety in collegiate track and field athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 500.

Track and field athletes (M = 20; F = 26) were divided based on whether they were optimists or pessimists. The majority of athletes were pessimistic, which was characterized by significantly elevated levels of state anxiety when compared to optimists. However, performances did not differ between the groups.

Implication. Pessimism and state anxiety might differ between athletes but those differences are not related to performance.

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