Is Flow Related to Positive Feelings or Optimal Performance? Path Analysis of Challenge-Skill Balance and Feelings

Abstract This study examined relationships between performance, challenge-skill balance (CSB; a primary indicator of state flow) and four valence-function categories of feelings: positive-functional (PF), negative-functional (NF), positive-dysfunctional (PD), and negativedysfunctional (ND). Ten college tennis players provided 918 self-reports during competitive intra-squad matches. Participants rated their feelings, CSB, and performance during tennis matches, and the relationships between these variables were examined through correlations and path analyses. CSB correlated strongly with PF (r = .70), moderately with NF (r = .38), had no correlation with PD (r = -.03), and a small negative correlation with ND (r = -.23). CSB was more strongly correlated with functional feelings than it was to pleasant feelings. Also, CSB and performance correlated very strongly with one another (r = .81). Path analyses supported these correlations as the final model depicted strong correlations between PF, NF, and CSB, along with a path indicating that CSB leads to Performance. The results support the notion that the CSB dimension of flow is more function- and performance-oriented than it is reflective of positive and optimal experience.