| dc.description.abstract | Football is the most played sport in Norway. Adolescent years is seen as where individuals form their self-confidence, and self-confidence in practices versus matches may differ in relation to the perception of the demands. Hence, this study aims to investigate the association between psychosocial recourses and self-confidence in football practices and matches. Young football players (N=588; Mage=15.7 years; SD=1.4) playing for teams registered for the 2021 season in Agder county in Norway participated in this mixed methods study. Questionnaires were used to measure psychosocial resources and self-confidence in practices and matches. Focus groups were used in the qualitative data collection. Decision Trees, CHAID analysis were used for addressing potential risk factors self-confidence in practices and matches, and a thematic analysis for the qualitative data analysis. The CHAID analysis showed that emotional stability was the strongest risk factor for self-confidence in practices, followed by life-satisfaction (<3.6), and autonomy support (>3.6). For self-confidence in matches the strongest predictor was life-satisfaction, followed by if the parent-coach (<6), and autonomy-support (>6). For adolescents scoring high on both high life satisfaction (>6) and perceived autonomy-support from coach (>28), psychosomatic symptoms occurred as a predictor of self-confidence in matches. Qualitative results added social support from family and peers, school, performance, and “football-context” as important factors for adolescent self-confidence in football. Emotional stability and life satisfaction have a strong association to adolescent self-confidence in the football context. Researchers should investigate the relationship of psychosocial resources on self-confidence with longitudinal designs and among other adolescent groups. | |