Gritty, hardy, resilient, and socially supported: A replication study

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study adds to the knowledge base in positive psychology and disability sport psychology by replicating and extending the research of Martin, Byrd, Watts, and Dent (2015). ObjectivesIn the current study we replicated previous findings by predicting life quality and sport engagement using measures of grit, hardiness, and resilience. We also extended the work of Martin et al. (2015) by examining athlete social support. MethodsEighty-seven adult (80 men, 7 women) wheelchair rugby athletes with various disabilities (e.g., amputee) participated in the current study. They completed questionnaires at rugby tournaments or on-line assessing grit, hardiness, resilience, social support and life satisfaction and sport engagement. ResultsOverall, the regression equation predicting life satisfaction was significant, F (4, 81) = 9.67, p < .00, accounting for thirty-two percent of the variance. One variable, resilience, contributed unique meaningful variance as indicated by its significant beta weight (β = 0.46, p < .001). The regression analyses predicting sport engagement was also significant, F (4, 81) = 12.08, p < .001, and predicted 37% of the variance. Grit (β = 0.21, p < .05), social support (β = 0.25, p < .01), resilience (β = 0.23, p < .05), and hardiness (β = 0.27, p < .05) were all significant predictors. ConclusionAthletes reporting high levels of resilience reported the highest quality of life. Athletes reporting high levels of grit, resilience, hardiness, and social support were the most engaged in their sport. We also partially replicated the work of Martin et al. (2015).