This study aimed to empirically examine the effects of achievement goal orientation on dance confidence and competitive anxiety among high school students majoring in contemporary dance. To achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted with 171 high sc...
This study aimed to empirically examine the effects of achievement goal orientation on dance confidence and competitive anxiety among high school students majoring in contemporary dance. To achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted with 171 high school students majoring in contemporary dance across Korea. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, and frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify the relationships among the major variables.
The results of this study are as follows. First, mastery-approach goal orientation, a subfactor of achievement goal orientation, had a significant positive effect on performance confidence and activity confidence, which are subfactors of dance confidence. In contrast, performance-approach goal orientation did not have a significant effect on either performance confidence or activity confidence. Second, mastery-approach goal orientation did not have a significant effect on cognitive state anxiety, a subfactor of competitive anxiety, but had a significant negative effect on somatic state anxiety. Performance-approach goal orientation had a significant positive effect on cognitive state anxiety, whereas it did not have a significant effect on somatic state anxiety.
These findings indicate that achievement goal orientation does not operate in a uniform manner in relation to dance confidence and competitive anxiety among high school students majoring in contemporary dance. Rather, its effects may vary depending on the characteristics of each subfactor. In particular, mastery-approach goal orientation, which emphasizes the learning process of dance movements and self-improvement, was found to positively contribute to enhancing performance confidence and activity confidence, while also alleviating somatic anxiety responses such as physical tension and stiffness in competitive situations. In contrast, performance-approach goal orientation, which focuses on comparison with others and external recognition, did not directly contribute to the formation of dance confidence, but was found to increase cognitive anxiety, including concerns about performance outcomes and the burden of evaluation.
Based on these findings, this study empirically clarified how achievement goal orientation functions in relation to dance confidence and competitive anxiety within the unique environment experienced by high school students majoring in contemporary dance. In particular, by confirming that the subfactors of achievement goal orientation exert different effects on the enhancement of dance confidence and the alleviation of competitive anxiety, this study provides foundational data for understanding the psychological characteristics of high school students majoring in contemporary dance. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need for differentiated educational approaches that take into account students’ individual goal orientations and psychological characteristics. They also suggest the importance of counseling and psychological skills programs for reducing competitive anxiety, expanding opportunities for diverse stage experiences to enhance dance confidence, and strengthening supportive feedback environments in dance education settings. Ultimately, this study is significant in that it presents directions for psychological and educational interventions aimed at enhancing dance confidence and alleviating competitive anxiety among high school students majoring in contemporary dance.