Mental toughness: are there differences between athletes and non-athletes, education levels, and gender?

Abstract

Mental toughness is believed to be a construct that contributes greatly to a person's success, both in sports and non-sports contexts. However, there are not many studies that examine differences in mental toughness based on athletes and non-athletes, education level, and gender. Therefore, this study aims to examine differences in mental toughness based on athletes and non-athletes, education level, and gender. A total of 244 people were involved in this study with an average age of 18.36 ± 2.17 years. Data were analyzed descriptively and using one-way ANOVA. The results of the study show that there are significant differences in mental toughness based on athletes and non-athletes (F = 10.865; p ≤ .01), education level (F = 9.816; p ≤ .01), and gender (F = 12.500; p ≤ .01). Research subjects such as athletes, students and men had higher average mental toughness scores than non-athletes, students, and women. In other words, athletes, students, and male subjects relatively have better mental toughness so they are less susceptible to experiencing excessive psychological disorders such as stress and depression. Keywords: sports psychology, mental toughness, athletes and non-athletes, students