World Applied Sciences Journal 15 (1): 136-141, 2011 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2011 Corresponding Author: M. Narimani, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Literature and Humanities Science, Ardabil, Iran. Tel: +98-4515516401. 136 The Role of Spiritual Transcendence on Predictive of Competitive Anxiety and Self-Confidence in Athletes M. Narimani, A. Zahede Babolan and S. Ariapooran 1 1 2 University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, literature and humanities Science, Ardabil, Iran 1 Faculty of Psychology, University of Malayer, Iran 2 Abstract: The purpose of this study was the role of spiritual transcendence on predictive of competitive anxiety and self-confidence in athletes. For this field, 200 individual and team athletes in Kermanshah city by clustered sampling were selected and completed the spiritual transcendence and competitive anxiety scales. Results of Pierson correlation indicated that was positive correlation between connectedness, prayer fulfillment and universality with sportive self-confidence and negative correlation between prayer fulfillment and universality with somatic and cognitive anxiety. Results of multivariate correlation by inter method showed that connectedness, prayer fulfillment and universality were predicted the competitive anxiety (cognitive-somatic) and prayer fulfillment and universality were predicted the sportive self-confidence (p<0/05). Key words: Spiritual transcendence Competitive Anxiety Self-confidence Athletes INTRODUCTION three dimensions: connectedness (sense of personal Spirituality and religiosity have recently emerged in contentment from prayer/meditation) and universality psychological literature as theorists are beginning to (sense of unity and purpose in life) [11]. Aldridge (1991) understand their importance and impact on subjective suggests that spirituality is a potential and in his well-being. This interest is evident in the proliferation of perspective, essential coping mechanism in dealing with measures currently available to assess these variables [1] the specific stressors of significant illness[12]. Many and the number of studies devoted to their exploration[2]. investigations referred to positive effect of spirituality on Spirituality has been defined as “the personal quest for self-esteem, belonging sensation, ability to coping with understanding life’s ultimate questions and the meaning stress, responding and adjustment to trauma, ability to and purpose of living” [3-4]. It has proven to be a difficult escape of danger, life satisfaction and some physiological entity to measure[5-6] and ultimately people themselves signs such as low of blood pressure, increasing in must define what spirituality means to them [7]. While performance of immune system, decreasing in depression acknowledging the absence of agreement in defining signs, increasing in psychological, physical and well- religiosity and spirituality, Mattis and Jagers (2001) being health [13-17]. However, studies designed to maintain that they are related but distinct domains [8]. statistically control for such factors also report positive Pate and Bondi (1992) described spirituality as the sense associations between spirituality and health in individuals of one's place in the universe [9] and Gilchrist (1992) with unhealthy behaviors. But the impact of spirituality on identified spirituality as that which individuals deem health and healing is a topic that has been virtually sacred and central in their lives [10]. One of variables that ignored in the disciplines of athletic training and sports related to spirituality is spiritual transcendence. Spiritual medicine [18]. But this problem can be interpretable in transcendence refers to the ability of individuals to view existential psychology. Existential psychology is the life from a larger, more objective perspective and find a clearest example of an approach that welcomes meaning, deeper sense of meaning. Furthermore, transcendence is spirituality and religion as central to human being. In a fundamental, intrinsic motivation that involves sport psychology there have been a number of suppressing an individual’s own need for those of the researchers and writers who have drawn on existential- larger group. The spiritual transcendence consists of phenomenological psychology in their work in exercise responsibility to others), prayer fulfillment (joy and