Personality hardiness differentiates elite‐level sport performers

Abstract

Hardiness has three components: commitment to full involvement in life (commitment), belief in personal control over events (control), and enjoyment of challenge and opportunity (challenge). Evidence drawn across a variety of work environments suggests that these hardiness components facilitate optimal functioning. However, to date, only minimal empirical attention has been devoted to replicating such findings in the realm of competitive sport. This study examined the potential of the hardiness construct in differentiating elite‐level sport performers. Volunteers (N = 1566; M = 21.7 years; SD = 4.2) were drawn from 16 sport classifications and were presently competing at international, national, county/provincial, or club/regional competitive levels. They completed the 18‐item Personal Views Survey III‐R in their respective training camps. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that international competitors scored significantly higher (p < .001) in commitment and total hardiness compared to counterparts in each of the other three competitive levels, and they scored higher in control in comparison to national and club performers when adjustments were made for age, type of sport, category of sport, and gender. This research identifies that a psychological profile that includes high levels of hardiness appears to distinguish elite‐level competitors from subelite performers. Implications and future research suggestions are discussed