Can Athletes Be Tough And Kind To Themselves? Improving Mental Health Best Practices In Ncaa

Abstract

Recent events and official NCAA reports indicate that student-athletes’ well-being is compromised by sub-clinical issues of mental health (MH) disorders. Self-compassion (SC) and mental toughness (MT) are two psychological constructs that have been demonstrated effective against sports stressors. However, their conceptualizations seem contradictory (“machismo” mentality vs. self-kindness). Wilson, Bennett, Mosewich, Faulkner, and Crocker (2019) were the first to explore the compatibility of the two constructs towards athletic performance. PURPOSE: To investigate the three constructs in a NCAA environment and provide evidence towards updating current MH best practices. METHODS: In total, 542 NCAA student-athletes from all three NCAA Divisions participated (Mage=19.84, SD=1.7). Three inventories were administered: the Mental Toughness Index (MTI), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Mental Health Continuum - Short Form (MHC-SF). After IRB approval, all three questionnaires were administered via student email using Qualtrics. A multiple regression model was estimated using MTI and SCS scores as predictors of MHC-SF along with a moderation effect between MTI and SCS. RESULTS: The model explained about 34% of variability in MHC-SF and indicated that MTI and SCS were positively related with MHC-SF (r=.407, p<0.01; r=0.541, p<0.01, respectively). There was also a negative moderation effect [B=-0.245, SE=0.097, p<0.05], meaning that MT and SC mitigate each other to an extent as they both increase. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings generally agree with Wilson et al., 2019. Nevertheless, they indicate that -although MT and SC are compatible processes in the same athlete- their interaction may not be beneficial to MH. A possible explanation could be timing: SC and MT may enhance MH when they are employed at separate times, but not simultaneously. Including MT and SC training and teaching all athletes how to hold these competing qualities in a way that complement rather than conflict may strengthen current NCAA MH best practices.