Development Of Mental Toughness Research Articles

Development of Mental Toughness among Basketball Sports School Students.

The development of mental toughness in student athletes within sports schools is crucial for identifying strengths and improving weaknesses to optimize performance. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mental toughness development program for basketball sports school students. Sixty-two male student athletes, aged 15.83 ± 0.37 years, participated, with 30 in the experimental group and 32 in the control group. They completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48 (MTQ48) before and after the 6-week intervention program. Pearson's correlations were calculated for study variables. A repeated measures MANOVA followed by one-way ANOVA analyzed differences in mental toughness skills between groups and over time. Results showed a significant effect of the intervention program on mental toughness skills, with small and medium effect sizes. Post-program, the experimental group exhibited higher levels of various skills compared to controls, including skills related to challenge, commitment, emotional control, life control, overall control, self-confidence in interpersonal interactions, self-confidence in one's abilities, overall self-confidence, and total MTQ48. These findings underscore the utility of interventions for enhancing mental toughness among basketball sports school students, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches in such intervention programs.

Strategies for the development of mental toughness of construction professionals: the case of Ghana

Purpose The construction sector is recognized for subjecting its workers to various psychological pressures and mental stressors. As a result, it is crucial to explore and discover effective strategies to support these workers in managing and enduring these demanding circumstances. Mental toughness is a concept that has been advocated to aid individuals in coping and adapting to pressures and challenges. Therefore, it is imperative to explore strategies critical to developing mental toughness among construction professionals. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify critical strategies for the development of mental toughness among construction professionals. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed databases to identify the strategies for the development of mental toughness. These identified strategies were used to develop a structured closed-ended questionnaire to aid in data collection. Of the 317 questionnaires distributed, 207 were collected and used for data analysis. The data were analysed using mean score ranking and one sample t-test. Findings The study highlighted 12 critical strategies for the development of mental toughness among construction professionals. These include recognizing and rewarding achievements, taking time for self-care, organizing mental training programs, using positive self-talk, embracing a growth mindset, providing social support/developing a strong support network, creating a challenging training environment, engaging in regular physical exercise, fostering a mastery motivational climate, setting clear but challenging goals, practicing mental imagery and practicing reflection on setbacks and failures. The analysis results indicated that all of the strategies, except one (which involves practicing reflection on setbacks and failures), displayed significance. By incorporating these strategies, construction firms and the industry as a whole can empower their workforce to cope and/or overcome the various demands and stressors that work and life places on them. Research limitations/implications The study highlights the significance of recognizing and rewarding achievements, fostering a growth mindset and implementing mental training programs to cultivate mental toughness among construction professionals. Moreover, promoting self-care practices and offering social support are essential strategies for enhancing mental resilience in the construction industry. By adopting these evidence-based approaches, construction organizations can create a mentally tough workforce capable of handling the challenges and demands of the industry effectively. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the general body of knowledge in mental health management among employees in the construction industry. It does set the pace for the development of the general well-being of construction professionals in the achievement of mental toughness goals.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wellbeing: an inductive thematic analysis exploring how BJJ can increase subjective wellbeing

Purpose This study aims to assess the sociopsychological impact that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s (BJJ) can have on the subjective wellbeing of practitioners. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews (N = 8) and were analysed using thematic analysis by taking an inductive approach. Findings Improvements in the wellbeing of practitioners can be made via focusing on specific known constructs which have previously shown to increase subjective wellbeing. They included the development of mental toughness, progression towards meaningful goals and/or healthy habits and behaviours and the forming and maintaining of positive social relationships. Research limitations/implications The present work demonstrates the psychological benefits of BJJ practice on several psychological wellbeing targets, albeit in a modest sample size. Practical implications The heightened emphasis on mental wellbeing in the general population has added increasing pressure on mental health services (Steptoe et al., 2015; Diener et al., 2018; Johnson et al., 2018; Wicking & Dean 2020). Therefore, it is of theoretical and practical advantage to explore novel ways to help individuals with both their mental health and wellbeing. Originality/value The present study seeks to add to an emerging field of research which proposes that intentional activities such as BJJ can be integrated alongside traditional approaches to therapy in their promise to help those recovering from mental health issues.

Psychological Resilience of Soccer Referees: Comparing Novices and Veterans

The study explores the psychological resilience of soccer referees, focusing on comparing novices and veterans. Referees must possess psychological resilience, or the capacity to adjust and flourish in the face of hardship since they are frequently subjected to scrutiny and high-stress circumstances. To identify the elements that lead to resilience, a sample of 35 participants, including referees, spectators, players, media, coaches, and club administrators, were interviewed in-depth as part of this phenomenological qualitative research design. A thematic study of these two groups’ approaches to stress perception and management, setback recovery, and mental health maintenance uncovered both clear contrasts and parallels. Novice referees often reported higher levels of anxiety and self-doubt, attributing these feelings to their limited experience and the high expectations placed upon them. In contrast, veteran referees demonstrated greater confidence and a robust repertoire of coping strategies, developed through years of on-field experience. The results show that seasoned referees had better levels of psychological resilience than their less experienced peers. The development of mental toughness over time, experience-based coping mechanisms, and the support networks at their disposal are among the major themes that have been found. Contrarily, novices frequently experience self-doubt and lack the strong coping strategies that veterans possess. It is widely believed that the primary cause of the worldwide decline in referee numbers is the poor management of soccer officials. The study concludes that psychological resilience is a dynamic trait that may be enhanced with practice and the right kind of assistance. According to the study’s conclusions, the relevant organisations should inform all parties involved about changes to the game’s laws, target resilience training for novice referees, establish mentorship programs to bridge the gap between novices and veterans and hire sports psychologists to help new referees develop their mental faculties. These measures are vital for enhancing the overall performance and well-being of referees in the competitive environment of soccer.

Developing a ‘clarity of mind’: Exploring a behaviour-based approach to mental toughness development in international youth football

Mentally tough behaviors (MTbs) entail verbal or physical acts that allow athletes to engage their capacity to produce consistently high performances under pressure. However, researchers of mental toughness (MT) have typically focused on the characteristics that make an athlete mentally tough, rather than how these characteristics are developed through learning to, and reflecting on, the display of MTbs. Consequently, we explored the athlete MT development process within youth international football. Collaborating with a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) National Association, age-group international players (n = 6), coaches (n = 6), support staff (n = 7), and parents (n = 6) were interviewed regarding MTbs, the specific contexts (e.g., training) that require MTbs, and how key personnel (e.g., coaches, parents, teammates) might help develop players’ MTbs in international youth football. Using thematic analysis, we found MT development to be a relational, multidimensional process, where players transacted with individuals (e.g., coaches) in their environment. These individuals’ behaviors (e.g., autonomy-supportive) influenced players’ propensity to engage in and reflect on contextually relevant MTbs, leading to MT understanding, development, and maintenance. We suggest organizations develop a common understanding of the MT development process and educate all relevant stakeholders regarding their role in supporting athletes to develop the capacity to perform consistently under pressure. Lay summary: We explored key stakeholders’ perceptions of mental toughness (MT) development in international youth football. We found players’ MT is developed via key relationships, with players encountering opportunities to display this capacity via mentally tough behaviors (MTbs). Players must reflect upon their display of MTbs to further develop and maintain MT.

Review of Young Childrens Mental Toughness: Family, School, and Peer Factors

Mental toughness is of great significance to individual development. Young children are the key period for the formation and development of mental toughness. Research on the factors affecting the development of mental toughness of young children can intervene in the development of mental toughness of children, so as to help their future development. Factors affecting mental toughness are classified into three categories: Family factors, school factors, peer factors, and the existing literature and research were summarized. The scale used to assess mental toughness and other methods were introduced. Family factors, such as cumulative risk of family, parenting style, marital conflict have an important impact on children's mental toughness. A good teacher-child relationship in school factors can protect and regulate family cumulative risk in family factors, and the relationship between children and peers will be affected by the relationship between children and parents. Family factors, school factors and peer factors are not separate, but need to coordinate the whole, the three need to cooperate with each other. Finally, some suggestions and future research directions are put forward.

Psychologic training program and mental toughness development: an integrative revision of literature

The Mental Toughness (MT) construct is considered an essential component of sports performance, therefore, it is important to examine how programs to develop MT are being offered and applied to athletes. In this sense, the objective of this study was to review the literature in relation to psychological training programs (PST) applied to the development of Mental Toughness in the sport context. The Scielo, PubMed, SportDiscus, BVS, Embase, and Psynet databases were used, considering the Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. The program EndNote® was used to store and organize the material. The inclusion criteria were full papers, with athletes, investigating the psychological training for MT development; the exclusion criteria were: review studies, studies of areas other than sports, and psychological training carried out with injured athletes. The results show 1.858 studies and, from this total, ten studies were included for synthesis and qualitative analysis. The findings show four studies used collective modalities, seven used individual modalities, four studies with adult athletes and six with teenage athletes. Concerning the structure of the programs, six studies used traditional PST activities, while two worked with specific activities to develop MT. For the pre- and post-evaluation, all ten studies used tools that measure MT. From the analysed studies, nine show an increase in MT scores after the interventions. In conclusion, the psychological training programs geared to developing the MT are not different from traditional PST programs, both in terms of the psychological skills worked on, the activities performed and the number of sessions. El constructo Mental Toughness (MT) se considera un componente esencial del rendimiento deportivo, por lo tanto, es importante examinar cómo se ofrecen y aplican a los atletas los programas para desarrollar MT. En este sentido, el objetivo de este estudio fue revisar la literatura en relación a los programas de entrenamiento psicológico (PST) aplicados para el desarrollo de la Robustez Mental en el contexto deportivo. Se utilizaron las bases de datos Scielo, PubMed, SportDiscus, BVS, Embase y Psynet, considerando los idiomas portugués, inglés y español. Se utilizó el programa EndNote® para almacenar y organizar el material. Los criterios de inclusión fueron artículos completos, con atletas, que investigaran el entrenamiento psicológico para el desarrollo de MT; los criterios de exclusión fueron: estudios de revisión, estudios de áreas distintas al deporte y entrenamiento psicológico realizado con atletas lesionados. Los resultados muestran 1.858 estudios y, de ese total, se incluyeron diez estudios para síntesis y análisis cualitativo. Los hallazgos muestran que cuatro estudios utilizaron modalidades colectivas y siete utilizaron modalidades individuales, siendo cuatro estudios con atletas adultos y seis con atletas adolescentes. En cuanto a la estructura de los programas, seis estudios utilizaron actividades tradicionales de PST, mientras que dos trabajaron con actividades específicas para desarrollar MT. Para la evaluación previa y posterior, los diez estudios utilizaron herramientas que miden MT. De los estudios analizados, nueve muestran un aumento en las puntuaciones de MT después de las intervenciones. En conclusión, los programas de entrenamiento psicológico orientados al desarrollo de la MT no se diferencian de los programas tradicionales de PST, tanto en las habilidades psicológicas trabajadas, las actividades realizadas y el número de sesiones. O construto Robustez Mental (RM) é considerado um componente essencial do desempenho esportivo, portanto, é importante analisar como os programas para desenvolver a RM estão sendo oferecidos e aplicados aos atletas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi revisar a literatura em relação aos programas de treinamento psicológico (PST) aplicados para o desenvolvimento da Robustez Mental no contexto esportivo. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Scielo, PubMed, SportDiscus, BVS, Embase e Psynet, considerando os idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. O programa EndNote® foi utilizado para armazenar e organizar o material. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos completos, com atletas, investigando o treinamento psicológico para o desenvolvimento da RM; os critérios de exclusão foram: estudos de revisão, estudos de outras áreas que não o esporte e treinamento psicológico realizado com atletas lesionados. Os resultados mostram 1.858 estudos e, desse total, dez estudos foram incluídos para síntese e análise qualitativa. Os achados mostram que quatro estudos utilizaram modalidades coletivas e sete utilizaram modalidades individuais, sendo quatro estudos com atletas adultos e seis com atletas adolescentes. Quanto à estrutura dos programas, seis estudos utilizaram atividades tradicionais do PST, enquanto dois trabalharam com atividades específicas para desenvolver a RM. Para a pré e pós-avaliação, todos os dez estudos utilizaram instrumentos que medem a RM. Dos estudos analisados, nove mostram um aumento nos escores da RM após as intervenções. Em conclusão, os programas de treinamento psicológico voltados ao desenvolvimento da RM não diferem dos programas tradicionais de PST, tanto em termos de habilidades psicológicas trabalhadas, quanto nas atividades realizadas e no número de sessões.

Grounded Theory Approach to the Development of Mental Toughness: Exploring the Soccer Player–Coach Interactions and Their Perception

PURPOSE This study comprehensively compared the perception and interaction of player–coach in the development of mental toughness in soccer.METHODS Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews from 12 participants (6 athletes and 6 coaches), analyzed using the grounded theory by Strauss and Corbin, and they were compared to the group of athletes and coaches, respectively.RESULTS The following results were obtained: (1) Both athletes and coaches recognized that the experience of coping with the pressure present in competition was a central phenomenon in the development of mental toughness. (2) Regarding the situation and condition that lead to coping with pressure, the athletes emphasized the individual's goal orientation in the context of competitive situations and environmental conditions, while the coaches emphasized the athletic attitude toward competition and development in childhood. (3) The athlete–coach interaction was identified as an intervening condition affecting the experience of coping with pressure. (4) As the action–reaction strategy for the development of mental toughness, the optimistic thinking was emphasized for athlete and achievement-oriented thinking for coach; thus, it differed in the characteristics of mental toughness.CONCLUSIONS This study presented the results of an integrated comparison of mental toughness, which can vary depending on the contextual specificity (soccer) and the subject of perception (athlete– coach), especially indicating the importance of the player–coach interaction, which can contribute to the strategy to be used in mental toughness development.

Advancing outdoor education: The validation of Adventure-based Mental Toughness Model (AbMTM)

In Malaysia, the implementation of physical education includes an outdoor education syllabus. Outdoor education is found to be a medium for individual development at various levels of educational institutions, including schools. Mental toughness is one of the major aspects of the psychological development of an individual. There are now numerous studies linking mental toughness with academic performance. One of the mediums for this development is the implementation of outdoor education. The nature of outdoor education is found to have a very high potential to support the development of mental toughness among students. However, a lack of specific adventure-based mental toughness models has been developed. This study attempted to develop the Adventure-based Mental Toughness Model (AbMTM) and was guided based on the modified Design and Development Research (Saedah, Muhammad, & Rozaine, 2020). A total of 507 (N=507) respondents from several educational institutions in Malaysia were involved as respondents for the validity examination through the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. As a result, AbMTM recorded significant Goodness of Fit (GoF) (X2= 1.904; p =.000; GFI=.839; AGFI=.792; NFI=.815; TLI=.924; CFI=.931; RMSEA= .050). This study’s findings are considered a new horizon of outdoor education implementation and advancing the current practice in Malaysia. Keywords: Outdoor education, mental toughness, structural equation modeling

Mental Toughness Development via Military-Style Training in the NCAA: A Three-Phase, Mixed-Method Study of the Perspectives of Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

Sport cultures transmit values for anticipated conduct. Recent events have resulted in injuries/deaths of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes, usually during off-season football training. Through media reports, strength and conditioning coaches (SCC) have been allegedly involved by incorporating military-style training (MST). Mental toughness (MT) has been associated with hypermasculine subcultures in sports. For the first time, perceptions of collegiate SCCs were chosen to contribute to the development of cultural best practices in sports, via a multiphase mixed-method design (Phase 1, n = 465; Phase 2, n = 72; Phase 3, n = 99). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected aiming to confirm and explore the use of MST in the NCAA, its connection to SCCs, its association with MT development, and the role of the media. MST is uncommon in the NCAA. MST takes place mostly during the off-season in the form of physical, in-scope protocols while football is the most common sport. MST promotes MT. The recent media backlash is considered unfounded. Cultures promoted by SCCs do not indicate conformity of student-athletes to unethical/unhealthy expectations. Future sport psychology research and practice should continue to prioritize culture, cultural identities, and physical and mental well-being.

Mental toughness is a mediator of the relationship between positive childhood experiences and wellbeing

ABSTRACT Mental toughness describes a set of positive psychological resources that predict a range of outcomes, including wellbeing. It has been conceptualized as a state, but research has not yet examined the impact of positive or adverse childhood experiences on its development. Such experiences are known to be important for wellbeing and mental health. The current study aimed to examine the relationships between adverse and positive childhood experiences and later mental toughness, and whether mental toughness mediated the relationship between childhood experiences and wellbeing. Three hundred and eleven participants (53 males and 256 females, with a mean of 35.5 years (SD 13.67) completed measures of childhood experiences, mental toughness, and wellbeing. Positive, but not adverse childhood experiences predicted mental toughness, and there was a significant indirect path from positive experiences to wellbeing via mental toughness. The results are discussed in terms of implications for the theory of mental toughness, and implications for supporting the development of mental toughness, which may in turn enhance wellbeing.

DEVELOPMENT OF ADVENTURE-BASED MENTAL TOUGHNESS INVENTORY (ABMTI): NEED SURVEY ANALYSIS AMONG MALAYSIAN ACTIVE OUTDOOR PRACTITIONERS.

A new landscape of adventure-based program demonstrated it linked to positive psychological aspects outcomes, including mental toughness. These benefits go beyond traditional character-building concepts of adventure-based programs. In Malaysia, there are numerous adventure-based programs conducted by many levels of organizations with aims to improve participants’ mental toughness. Unfortunately, there are very limited studies conducted on how to design a specific instrument of the adventure-based mental toughness program. The conceptual issues identified as main interest in this regard is identify the need to develop adventure-based mental toughness inventory among Malaysian outdoor practitioners. The study based on the Develop and Design Research (DDR; Saedah, Muhammad & Rozaini, 2020). IBM Statistic (SPSS) utilized as the main statistical analysis software. A total of 85 respondents (N=85) among active outdoor practitioners have purposively been selected. Based on the analyses, overall, 93% of agrees was achieved for all statements in the survey (with IQR= .0 -1.99). These findings provided a platform from which to foster coherent and systematic scholarly work on adventure-based program and mental toughness development.

Exploring the Link between Athletic Identity, Self-compassion, Communication, and Mental Toughness of Table Tennis Student- Athletes

Table tennis student-athletes should be mentally tough as they train and perform under extreme pressure. It is essential to identify other mental skills that will aid mental toughness development. Accordingly, the study focused on assessing athletic identity, self-compassion, and intra-team communication. The relationship between the constructs was also explored. A multi-part questionnaire was fielded to 230 college student-athletes participating in table tennis singles event. Findings indicate high levels of athletic identity and intra-team communication among the participants; while moderate levels for self-compassion and mental toughness. Structural equation modeling revealed the dynamic relationship between the constructs. On one hand, self-compassionate participants who highly recognize their role as athletes, and communicate with the team are more mentally tough. On the other hand, uncompassionate self-responding lead student-athletes to become mentally weak. The study provides useful insights for practitioners in designing mental skills training geared towards optimal functioning and psychological wellness of young athletes.

Meta-Study

ABSTRACT Meta-study is a method for analysing the content and the process of knowledge production in a body of qualitative research. Conducting a meta-study involves four steps: (1) meta-data-analysis which involves the study of empirical findings; (2) meta-method which examines the epistemological soundness and rigour of methods; (3) meta-theory which examines the structures, assumptions, and principles underpinning the primary research studies; and (4) meta-synthesis which brings the three steps together and considers the plausibility of existing accounts, what has been neglected, and what new avenues have been opened for advancing knowledge. Qualitative researchers in sport and exercise psychology (SEP) have recently started using meta-study to examine bodies of qualitative research in various areas including positive youth development, junior-to-senior transition, athletic identity and mental toughness development. Our review shows that meta-study has been a useful method for demonstrating how methodological developments have influenced how qualitative researchers apply methods and conceptualise the phenomena of interest. However, there have been diverse applications of meta-study and, in the absence of recent updates on the method, meta-study is in danger of remaining underdeveloped or becoming outdated. Based on the review, we outline guidelines for SEP scholars to employ meta-study rigorously.

Developing mental toughness: Perspectives from NCAA Division I team sport coaches

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this research was to determine strategies National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) head coaches use to develop mental toughness within collegiate team settings. Fifteen NCAA Division I head coaches (11 men; 4 women) participated in semi-structured interviews. Coaches came from team sports consisting of men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, softball and baseball. The most consistently cited themes included: (a) establishing a coach–athlete relationship, mentioned by all 15 coaches, (b) establishing and enforcing a culture, addressed by 12 coaches, and (c) pressure activities and training, which was cited by 12 coaches. Additional strategies included using resources, mental skills training, using data, recruiting and use of classroom time. These findings broaden what is known in terms of mental toughness development by coaches at the collegiate level. Future work is needed on the effectiveness of such strategies as being most helpful to team sport athletes in collegiate settings.

Mental toughness development through adolescence: Effects of age group and community size

Scholars have reported that mental toughness (MT) moderates stress, helps with regaining balance after failure, and promotes mobilizing action. Accordingly, we used the Mental Toughness Questionnaire-48 to explore stage-related MT differences in a sample of 342 teenagers representing 3 stages of adolescence: 11-year-olds (early adolescence; n = 104), 14-year-olds (middle adolescence; n = 125), and 17-year-olds (late adolescence; n = 113), who came from either a large city or a small town. Analysis revealed that although MT increased across the stages of adolescence, the degree of change varied between subscales of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire-48: challenge and confidence increased, whereas control and commitment remained unchanged. Moreover, age effects also varied as a function of community size. The findings illustrate the advantage of using a multi-dimensional model of toughness for better understanding its development processes. Moreover, they could inform the design of training programs aimed at targeting problem behaviors, for example, encouraging attendance at and enhancing academic performance programs.

“The zipper effect”: Exploring the interrelationship of mental toughness and self-compassion among Canadian elite women athletes

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to explore how elite women athletes perceived and experienced mental toughness and self-compassion and their compatibility in the pursuit of athletic success and stress management. MethodAdopting an interpretivist constructionist approach, we conducted two semi-structured interviews with seven participants (14 interviews), aged 22 to 34. Through a thematic analysis, we identified and analyzed patterns within the data related to how the athletes experienced and perceived self-compassion and mental toughness. ResultsThree overarching themes were identified, including the role of mental toughness as critical for coping with sport-related adversity, the role of self-compassion as critical for coping with sport-related adversity, and self-compassion and mental toughness as compatible. Participants experienced mental toughness as a coping resource, which included perseverance through adversity, remaining present, maintaining perspective, and adequate competition preparation. They perceived that common humanity, mindfulness, and self-kindness were also key to coping with sport-related adversity. Finally, the women identified self-compassion and mental toughness as compatible and contextual processes. Self-compassion was critical to the development of mental toughness, and mindfulness was key to developing and maintaining both self-compassion and mental toughness. ConclusionsThe findings revealed that self-compassion and mindfulness are worthy of investigation in elite women athletes, particularly with regards to their utility in coping with sport-related adversity and in achieving a mentally tough mindset. Self-compassion and mental toughness are compatible processes that may both require mindfulness, and if used in an effective and complementary balance could create optimal mindsets for the pursuit of athletic success.

Adapting a behavioral coaching framework for mental toughness development

ABSTRACTMental Toughness (MT) development is an important consideration when seeking to increase and maintain high levels of performance in sport settings. There has been limited research on effective methods to develop MT, and an opportunity exists to incorporate other developmental frameworks in psychology that have shown a positive effect on performance. In this article, we detail a coach-targeted education program aimed at increasing the frequency of desirable mentally tough behaviors (MTb) in elite athletes, which draws on recent work on MTb and an established behavioral coaching model (i.e., GROW) as the guiding framework. The theoretical foundations of behavioral coaching and relationship with improving performance are briefly discussed. We then describe how we applied the behavioral coaching model in a professional team sport environment during the course of a competitive season, including learning points and future considerations for those practitioners looking to develop MT in sporting contexts.

Coaching to enhance the mental toughness of people learning kickboxing

This pilot study investigated whether combining Positive Psychology Coaching (PPC) and kickboxing would progress the development of mental toughness compared to kickboxing alone. The data were derived from 28 participants who voluntarily took a four-week kickboxing course and completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ48) a week before the course commenced and after its completion. Using stratified randomisation for age and gender, 14 participants received a one-hour individual face-to-face coaching session while the other 14 only engaged in kickboxing. The results suggest that PPC may have a role in developing mental toughness when it is combined with vigorous physical exercise.

Relationship between Mental Toughness and Behavioral Regulation among University Student-athletes

The purpose of the present research was to study the relation between mental toughness and behavioral regulation among university student-athletes. To achieve this, 100 male and female student-athletes with the average age of 25.5 were chosen among student-athletes of Tehran University in the academic year 2014-2015 as available and volunteering sample.In this research, demographic information, consent forms, 14-item mental toughness scale (MTS) (Madrigal, Hamill, & Gill) and 19-item behavioral regulation exercise questionnaire (BREQ-2) of Markland and Tobin (2004) were implemented as the tools. The method of the research was descriptive-correlation, which was carried out by collecting data by means of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used in order to analyze the data, and Pearson correlation inferential statistics was used to find out the relation between the variable, and independent t was used in order to compare the mean between the two male and female groups with a confidence level of 95%. The results of this research indicated that there is a positive and significant relation between mental toughness and behavioral regulation in the student-athletes; however, there was no significant difference between these factors in the two groups and male and female athletes. Since physical activities play an important role in the development of mental toughness, by applying this effective mental factor in regulating mental factors, behavioral regulation can be affected through controlling motivating factors and thoughts.