Adolescents with greater mental toughness show higher sleep efficiency, more deep sleep and fewer awakenings after sleep onset

Abstract

Background: To investigate the association between mental toughness and objectively assessed sleep. Mental toughness (MT) is understood as the display of confidence, commitment, challenge and control. MT is associated with greater resilience against stress. There is as yet, however, no research focusing on the relation between MT and objective sleep. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore the extent to which greater MT is associated with objectively assessed sleep among adolescents. Method: A total of 92 adolescents (35% females; mean age: M = 18.92 years) completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ48). Participants were split into a group of high (H-MT) and into a group of low mental toughness (L-MT). Moreover, objective sleep was recorded via sleep-EEGs. Results: Compared to participants with low MT, participants with high MT had higher sleep efficiency, a lower number of awakenings after sleep onset, less light sleep, and more deep sleep. They also reported lower daytime sleepiness. Conclusions: Adolescents reporting higher mental toughness also had objectively better sleep, as recorded via sleep-EEG. A bi-directional association between mental toughness and sleep seems likely; therefore, among adolescence, improving sleep should increase MT, as also improving MT should increase sleep.