Examining the importance of athletic mindset profiles for level of sport performance and coping

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined how growth and fixed mindset beliefs coexist within athletes to form distinct Athletic Mindsets; and whether these composite mindsets differentially predict level of sport performance and athletic coping skills. Athletes in Australia (N = 281, 52% male, M age = 32.21, SD = 14.40) completed self-report questionnaires measuring mindset, athletic coping, and level of sport performance. Cluster analysis of growth and fixed belief variables identified four distinct athletic mindset profiles: High-Growth/Low-Fixed, Low Growth /Low Fixed, Low Growth /High Fixed, and High-Growth/High Fixed. Analysis revealed that athletes with a HighG/LowF mindset were more likely to participate at higher levels of sport performance than athletes with the other three mindsets, and that this predictive effect was mediated by greater athletic coping skills. These findings indicate that growth and fixed mindset beliefs coexist and interact, and that possessing a HighG/LowF mindset benefits sports performance and coping. These findings illustrate support for the use of athletic mindset profiles to predict level of sport performance and inform coaching strategies.