Stressors, perceived stress responses, and coping strategies in professional esports players: A qualitative study

Leis, O., Franziska, L., Birch, P. D. J. and Elbe, A.-M. (2021) Stressors, perceived stress responses, and coping strategies in professional esports players: A qualitative study. International Journal of eSports. (In Press)

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Abstract

To inform future intervention strategies and enhance professional esports players’ performance, this qualitative study investigated stressors, perceived stress responses, and coping strategies experienced by professional League of Legends players. Following criterion-based sampling, semi-structured interviews with 12 professional esports players were performed. The findings illustrate a variety of stressors related to team, performance, audience, and social media. Whereas players reported that perceived stress responses prior to competition (e.g., nervousness and excitement) seemed to be suppressed during competition, post-competition responses appeared to relate to the outcome of competition. Although a range of strategies were identified, players most frequently communicated with teammates or coaches and focused on performance when coping with stressors. Study results demonstrate a need to gain an in-depth understanding of stressors, coping strategies, and their effects on performance. In addition, it seems beneficial to teach players how to recognize and regulate perceived stress responses.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: Competitive gaming; League of Legends, psychological stress, performance; emotions; critical realism
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Q Science > QP Physiology
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Depositing User: Phil Birch
Date Deposited: 01 Jul 2021 11:53
Last Modified: 24 May 2022 00:10
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/5831

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