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Identifying Stressors and Coping Strategies of Elite Esports Competitors

Identifying Stressors and Coping Strategies of Elite Esports Competitors

Matthew J. Smith, Phil D.J. Birch, Dave Bright
Copyright: © 2019 |Volume: 11 |Issue: 2 |Pages: 18
ISSN: 1942-3888|EISSN: 1942-3896|EISBN13: 9781522565611|DOI: 10.4018/IJGCMS.2019040102
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MLA

Smith, Matthew J., et al. "Identifying Stressors and Coping Strategies of Elite Esports Competitors." IJGCMS vol.11, no.2 2019: pp.22-39. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJGCMS.2019040102

APA

Smith, M. J., Birch, P. D., & Bright, D. (2019). Identifying Stressors and Coping Strategies of Elite Esports Competitors. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations (IJGCMS), 11(2), 22-39. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJGCMS.2019040102

Chicago

Smith, Matthew J., Phil D.J. Birch, and Dave Bright. "Identifying Stressors and Coping Strategies of Elite Esports Competitors," International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations (IJGCMS) 11, no.2: 22-39. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJGCMS.2019040102

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Abstract

Researchers have examined some of the psychological aspects of competing at a high level in esports. The present study aims to build on this literature by examining the various stressors faced and the associated coping strategies employed by seven esports competitors. The interviews were inductively analysed, and the findings illustrated a range of internal (e.g., communication issues, lack of shared team goals) and external (e.g., event audience, media interviews) stressors that the participants faced. Following this, the coping strategies used to deal with these stressors were deductively analysed. A number of emotion- (e.g., breathing, relaxation), problem- (e.g., intra-team communication after matches), and approach- (e.g., team camps, delegating roles) coping strategies were described by participants. Avoidance coping strategies were predominantly highlighted as being used during games. Results are considered in line with how applied practitioners might support players to develop strategies to deal with stressors, which might in turn lead to performance enhancements.

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