PURPOSE This study examined the relations among role modeling, sports confidence, and perfectionism to provide foundational insights into nurturing positive sports confidence in student swimmers. METHODS The survey included a total of 237 middle and high school swimmers registered with organizations under the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee. The analysis included data from 231 participants after excluding 6 insincere responses. The construct validity of the measurement tools was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, while the basic characteristics of the measured variables and their interrelations were examined using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Moderating effects were tested using PROCESS Macro Model 1. RESULTS First, role modeling (r =.274–.471, p <.05) and perfectionistic striving (r =.301–.428, p <.05) showed a positive relation with sports confidence. Second, perfectionistic concern (r =−.056 to −.218, p <.05) was negatively associated with sport-confidence. Third, in the relation between role modeling and sports confidence, the moderating effect of perfectionistic concern was not significant whereas that of perfectionistic striving was statistically significant(ΔR 2=.019, p <.05). CONCLUSIONS Perfectionistic striving may play a positive role in enhancing student swimmers’ sports confidence. Specifically, striving for perfection may facilitate sports confidence improvement among athletes who observe and emulate their role models’ performance and behaviors.
