The interrelationships between reinforcement sensitivity, propensity for reinvestment and skill failure under pressure

<p dir="ltr">This thesis comprises four studies in which the role of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory of personality in athletes is examined. Empirical evidence has documented the main effects of reinforcement sensitivities, namely punishment sensitivity and reward sensitivity, on a wide range of performance outcomes. Specifically, the negative effect of punishment sensitivity and positive effect of reward sensitivity has been well established. More recently, interactive effects have been found in competitive sport, characterised by a positive effect of punishment sensitivity for individuals with low reward sensitivity and a negative effect of punishment sensitivity for individuals with high reward sensitivity. Therefore, this thesis aims to further examine the influence of reinforcement sensitivities on<br>cognitive and performance outcomes in athletes.<br></p><p dir="ltr">Four studies examined the interplay between personality traits and performance-related behaviours in sports contexts. Study 1 investigated how reward and punishment sensitivity influenced athletes' propensity for reinvestment and performance under pressure, utilising moderation analysis. Study 2 tested whether self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism moderated the relationship between reinforcement sensitivity and propensity for rumination by employing a moderated moderation analysis with a sample of competitive athletes. In Study 3 a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with team-sport athletes was conducted to examine whether there were differences in how individuals with low and high punishment sensitivity experienced high-pressure situations.<br>Study 4 focused on the influence of reinforcement sensitivities and propensity for rumination on football players’ responses to positive or negative events during competitive performance, determined through analysis of GPS data from 34 matches.<br></p><p dir="ltr">Overall, the findings of this thesis suggest that athletes with high punishment and reward sensitivity demonstrated the highest propensity for reinvestment. However, self- ratings of performance under pressure were not influenced by this interaction. Second, higher socially prescribed perfectionism amplified the negative impact of high punishment and low reward sensitivity on decision rumination, whereas self-oriented perfectionism had no significant moderating effect. Third, athletes with higher punishment sensitivity exhibited greater emotional variability and relied on coping strategies, mindfulness and avoidance, more frequently than athletes with lower punishment sensitivity. Both groups, those with low and high punishment sensitivity, generally reported performing adequately under pressure. However, high-punishment-sensitive athletes experienced greater emotional costs. Last, positive events increased total distance and player load, whereas negative events decreased it. High punishment sensitivity enhanced running behaviour in low-reward-sensitive athletes but diminished it in those with high reward sensitivity. This effect was observed during negative events. Moreover, propensity for rumination moderated these interactions.</p>