Effects of received and provided social support on confidence

Current research demonstrates that perceived social support is associated with positive outcomes. However the receipt of social support has been linked with both positive and negative effects. This disparity may be due to methodological design which has frequently established the effects of received support from the perspective of the recipient. Aim: This study examined the effects of received and provided support on levels of self-confidence prior to competition. Conclusions: Results demonstrate the beneficial influence of both received and provided esteem support on levels of self-confidence. Positive effects were demonstrated by the perception of esteem support and the provision of visible and invisible esteem support upon self-confidence. Findings indicate that intervention strategies should increase esteem support provision or focus on increasing the athlete’s perceptions of esteem support.