Mental Toughness Research Articles

The effect of mental toughness on professionalism in athletes

The aim of this research is to determine the effect of mental toughness on the level of professionalism in athletes. The study group of the research consists of a total of 201 participants, 124 (61.7%) female and 77 (38.3%) male, who participated in competitions as licensed athletes in Balıkesir province in 2023. In the study, in addition to the demographic information collection form, the Mental Toughness Scale developed by Sheard et al. (2009) and adapted to Turkish by Altıntaş (2015) and the Professionalism Scale for Athletes developed by Güngör, Kurtipek & İlhan (2022) were used as data collection tools. When the research results are taken into consideration, it is seen that the participants' mental toughness and athlete professionalism levels are at a good level. When the variables of gender, branch and being a national athlete are compared with mental toughness and athlete professionalism, it is determined that there is no significant difference. In addition, it is determined that 57% of athlete professionalism is explained by mental toughness. (Extended English summary is at the end of this document) Özet Bu araştırmanın amacı zihinsel dayanıklılığın sporcularda profesyonelizm düzeyine etkisini belirlemektir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu; 2023 yılında Balıkesir ilinde lisanslı sporcu olarak müsabakalara katılan 124’ü (%61.7) kadın, 77’si (%38.3) erkek toplam 201 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmış ve kolay ulaşılabilirlik ilkesi göz önünde bulundurularak çalışma grubu oluşturulmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak; demogrofik bilgi toplama formunun yanı sıra Sheard ve ark. (2009) tarafından geliştirilmiş, Altıntaş (2015) tarafından Türkçe’ye uyarlanan Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Ölçeği ve Güngör, Kurtipek & İlhan (2022) tarafından geliştirilen Sporcular için Profesyonelizm Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları dikkate alındığında katılımcıların zihinsel dayanıklılık ve sporcu profesyonelizm düzeylerinin iyi bir seviyede olduğu görülmektedir. Cinsiyet, branş ve milli sporcu olma değişkenleri zihinsel dayanıklılık ve sporcu profesyonelizmi ile karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı bir farklılığın olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Buna ek olarak, sporcu profesyonelizminin %57’sinin zihinsel dayanıklılık özelliği ile açıklandığı belirlenmiştir.

The Effect of Meaning in Life on Flourish of Middle-aged Women through Growth Mindset and Mental Toughness : Moderated Mediating Effect of Personal Brand Attractiveness

The Effect of Meaning in Life on Flourish of Middle-aged Women through Growth Mindset and Mental Toughness : Moderated Mediating Effect of Personal Brand Attractiveness

The relationship between perfectionism and sleep quality in athletes: the mediating role of mental toughness

Recent research suggested that mental toughness might play a mediating role in the relationship between multidimensional perfectionism and sleep quality. This study sought to examine the associations between multidimensional perfectionism, mental toughness, and sleep quality in young Chinese athletes, with a particular focus on investigating the potential mediating role of mental toughness in the relationship between multidimensional perfectionism and sleep quality. A total of 208 Chinese athletes (129 females and 79 males) aged from 15 to 29 (Mage = 19.9, SD = 2.52) were included. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the potential mediating effect. The results revealed that perfectionism striving was not associated with sleep quality, whereas perfectionism concerning emerged as a negative predictor of sleep quality. Mental toughness could positively predict sleep quality. The mediation analysis demonstrated that mental toughness partially mediated the relationship between perfectionism concerning and sleep quality. This study revealed that perfectionism concerning can reduce sleep quality, and mental toughness played a partial mediating role in the relationship between perfectionism concerning and sleep quality among Chinese young athletes. These findings suggest that enhancing athletes’ mental toughness and reducing perfectionism concerning may be effective strategies for improving sleep quality.

Examining Possible Determinants of Kinesiology Students' Social Physique Anxiety:A Multiple Indicator Multiple Independent Cause Model.

In this study, we expanded on previous research by employing a Multiple Indicators, Multiple Independent Causes (MIMIC) model to investigate how gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and perceived stress may have collectively influenced social physique anxiety (SPA) among 593 college kinesiology students. Our MIMIC model revealed that perceived stress, gender, and BMI were significantly related to SPA scores, with perceived stress being the strongest factor. Moreover, the relationship between gender and kinesiology students' SPA scores was consistent across different ages. These findings broaden the spectrum of the current nomological network regarding predictors of SPA. Based on these findings, future researchers should extend the current MIMIC model by including more predictor variables (e.g., depression, mood, & mental toughness) to gain additional and perhaps deeper insights. Additionally, we advocate for the adoption of the MIMIC model of statistical analysis in future SPA research.

Impact of physical activity on anxiety among university students: a moderated mediation model.

Using a cross-sectional design, convenient sampling was employed to select 997 first to fourth-year students from Jishou University for a self-reported survey. Measures included assessments of physical activity, mental toughness, social support, anxiety, and basic demographic variables. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and a moderated mediation model were conducted. Physical activity was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety and positively correlated with mental toughness. Mental toughness was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety, mediating the relationship between physical activity and anxiety to a certain extent. Social support moderated the latter part of the mediated model pathways. Physical activity negatively correlates with anxiety among university students. Mental toughness mediates the relationship between physical activity and anxiety, while social support moderates the latter stages of this mediated model (mental toughness → anxiety).

Influence of outdoor education learning models and mental toughness on cardiorespiratory fitness levels

Influence of outdoor education learning models and mental toughness on cardiorespiratory fitness levels

Adolescents’ perceptions of autonomy-supportive parents and social-emotional health: Serial multiple mediation of positive stress and mental toughness

Adolescence may bring some developmental challenges that affect social-emotional health. However, it is also possible to turn challenges into opportunities. Parental autonomy support, psychological stress, and mental toughness can contribute to adolescents having a healthy period. This study examined the mediating role of positive stress and mental toughness in the relationship between parental autonomy support and social-emotional health. The study included 441 (female 56.46%, male 43.54%) adolescents in Turkey enrolled in a high school. Self-report scales were used in this cross-sectional study. The results showed that positive stress and mental toughness were serial mediators of the relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parental autonomy support and social-emotional health outcomes (indirect effect = 0.05 [0.03, 0.08]). These results extend the implications of self-determination and positive psychology theories. It guides parents, educators, and school counselors in strengthening adolescents’ social-emotional health. Adolescents’ socio-emotional health can be enhanced through workshops and counseling services that offer parental autonomy support, positive management of stress, and mental toughness.

Mental Toughness and Adaptability in Game Matches Towards Resiliency of Sepaktakraw Athletes

Background: This study investigates how mental toughness and adaptability in game matches contribute to the resiliency of Sepaktakraw athletes in the field of competitive challenges. Objectives: This study explored the impact of mental toughness and adaptability on the resilience of Sepaktakraw athletes facing competitive challenges. Methods: Conducted during the 2023-2024 academic year, the research involved 60 male athletes aged 18-22 from Batangas State University, each with 4-8 years of experience in the sport. Using a descriptive-correlational approach, the study assessed athletes’ perceptions of mental toughness and resilience through the 4C’s Psychological framework—Challenge, Commitment, Control, and Confidence. Results: Findings highlighted the role of mental toughness and adaptability in strengthening athletes’ resilience. Consequently, the study proposed tailored training activities focused on enhancing these traits in gameplay. Presented in tabular form, each activity includes specific objectives designed to help athletes develop coping mechanisms for setbacks, maintain focus, and improve mental toughness. Conclusion: By engaging in these targeted training exercises, teamwork, and community interactions, athletes are expected to build the resilience needed to overcome competitive challenges and achieve success in Sepaktakraw.

The role of sport psychology in improving the performance of badminton athletes: a systematic review

Abstract. Sports psychology plays a vital role in improving the performance of badminton athletes. Psychological factors such as motivation, competitive anxiety, concentration, and mental resilience have been identified as critical influences on athlete performance. This study aims to systematically review the existing literature to identify and analyze the role of sports psychology in improving badminton athlete performance. The researcher searched for journal articles, books, and research reports relevant to sports psychology and badminton from various electronic databases through a systematic literature review approach. Specific inclusion criteria were applied to select studies that explicitly addressed the effect of psychological interventions on the performance of badminton athletes. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively to synthesize findings from the literature chosen. The literature review revealed that psychological techniques, including goal setting, relaxation techniques, visualization, and mental toughness coaching, positively impact the performance of badminton athletes. Findings suggest that psychological training integrated into athlete training programs can increase motivation, reduce competitive anxiety, strengthen concentration, and build mental resilience, all critical factors in athletic achievement. Sports psychology is a critical element in the training of badminton athletes, with significant potential to improve athlete performance. Psychological interventions tailored to the individual needs of athletes hold promise in optimizing athletic potential and achieving competitive success. Future research is needed to understand better how to best integrate these psychological techniques into the training of badminton athletes and to design more effective training programs that take full advantage of the role of sports psychology.

Mental toughness: state or trait? Context and sporting performance in rugby union, a longitudinal study

Mental toughness is a concept that has been considered a critical feature of sporting success. However, there are still conceptual issues related to its traitness and its relationship with sporting performance that remain unresolved. Consequently, the objective of this research is to contrast empirically whether the eventual changes in MT and its relationships with competition phases and sporting performance can sustain the notion of MT as a state or a trait. A longitudinal study included 12 male Chilean rugby players, aged 18-33 years, which regularly competed at the highest national level. The results indicated that there are no significant differences in mental toughness between the four measurements taken in the study and that the competitive phase did not predict mental toughness properties enduring across contexts and time. In addition, the data showed that mental toughness is an important predictor of relevant behavioural variables and sporting performance.

Qualitative Analysis of Micro-System-Level Factors Determining Sport Persistence.

Background/Objectives: Sport persistence is the embodiment of sports performance and mental toughness. It refers to our attempts concerning the performance plateau, failures, injuries, or even the resolution and processing of stressful situations associated with success and positive events. In our research, we used qualitative methods based on Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model to investigate the factors influencing sport persistence among high school and university athletes. Methods: The research was based on semi-structured interviews with 133 athletes. ATLAS.ti software and the grounded theory methodology were applied for data analysis. Our analysis grouped the responses according to Bronfenbrenner's categorisation system, highlighting motivational factors at the microsystem level. Our research question was as follows: What kind of factors dominate the development of sport persistence among adolescent (high school) and young adult (university) athletes along Bronfenbrenner's dimension of the microsystem? Results: Regarding the microsystem, family, peers, and coaches were mentioned as influential factors. Concerning the family, general, person-specific, family value-related, future-oriented, introjected, and disadvantage-compensating motivational components were identified. General, individual, community and relational factors were identified concerning peers. Concerning the coach, general, individual, community, and coach personality-driven motivational segments were detected. Conclusions: By recognising the complex interplay of systemic factors, we can design interventions targeting these factors at various socio-ecological levels, promoting youth sports and increasing physical activity among young people. These findings instil hope and motivation for the future of sports and physical activity.

Trails, traits, and mental states: Psychological differences between competitive and recreational sub-ultra and ultramarathon runners

Psychological trait differences between ultrarunners (completing more than a standard 42.195 km marathon) and sub-ultrarunners (≤42.195 km) have been assumed, but not robustly examined. The current study investigated trait differences between competitive and recreational runners at sub-ultra and ultramarathon distances. Six hundred and eleven participants (334 recreational, 400 sub-ultrarunner) completed an online, anonymous survey assessing five traits: mental toughness (MT), grit, motivation, general self-efficacy (GSE), and personality. Bayesian ANOVAs indicated at least moderate evidence for differences within Distance for grit-perseverance of effort (PE) and intrinsic motivation (IM), such that ultrarunners scored higher than sub-ultrarunners. Similarly, we observed at least moderate evidence that competitive runners scored higher than recreational runners on overall grit, grit-PE, GSE, IM, and extrinsic motivation (EM). Interaction effects provided moderate evidence for greater MT and overall grit in competitive ultrarunners. Evidence for other differences were anecdotal or favoured the null hypothesis. This study represents a novel investigation into the psychological makeup of runners. We suggest that aspects of motivation, grit, and self-efficacy, but not personality, may differentiate competitive from recreational runners, and ultrarunners from sub-ultrarunners. The identification of these trait differences may benefit runners and coaches wanting to progress in distance or competition level, with broader application to workplace or academic contexts. Further research is needed to develop a clearer conceptualisation of mental toughness, and build upon the novel findings of this study, particularly given the paucity of literature that exists within this context.

How do athletes perform well under pressure? A meta-study

ABSTRACT Many studies have explored athlete performance under pressure, with recent emphases on choking prevention and definitions of clutch performance. Whilst these two areas may benefit sport performance research, it may also be important to explore the prominent factors in facilitating athlete performance under pressure to promote the development of interventions targeting clutch performance in the future. In the present review, we synthesised qualitative research on athlete performance under pressure to highlight the psychological factors and strategies useful in facilitating performance under pressure in sport. Given the difficulties in reviewing and conducting quantitative research on these concepts (e.g. there currently is no validated measure of pressure), we chose to review qualitative research. Database searchers were conducted in September 2022, August 2023, and August 2024. This resulted in the identification and meta-synthesis of 29 articles reporting qualitative findings. Athletes, coaches, and sporting practitioners considered self-efficacy, demand appraisal, mental toughness, and task-focused resource allocation as important in facilitating athlete performance under pressure. Pre-performance routines, imagery techniques, self-talk, goal setting, cognitive restructuring, and simulated pressure training were also reported as useful strategies to facilitate athlete performance under pressure.

The effect of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy: the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness.

The theory of motivation suggests that individual motivation is moderately stimulated to drive individuals to engage in the behaviors for which they are motivated. It is therefore that the moderate stimulation of exercise motivation will likely lead to the enhancement of college students' participation in exercise. Investigate the effect of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy, reveal the mediating role of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness, and provide empirical evidence improving college students' self-efficacy through exercise motivation. A stratified whole-sample approach was employed to survey 715 college students, based on a correlation table with good reliability and validity. Scale items were designed to collect subjects' exercise motivation, self-efficacy, leisure satisfaction, and mental toughness in the study context. Mediation effect analyses were carried out using SPSS and AMOS. A significant positive effect of exercise motivation on self-efficacy (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), leisure satisfaction (β = 0.50, p < 0.001), and mental toughness (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Leisure satisfaction and mental toughness had a significant positive effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.40, p < 0.001; β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Furthermore, leisure satisfaction and mental toughness significantly mediated in exercise motivation and self-efficacy. In conclusion, our findings further explored the effects of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy and revealed the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness.

Relationships between mental toughness, eustress-distress, and mindfulness in adolescents: A network analysis and mediator model testing.

The main aim of this study was to investigate adolescents' eustress-distress and mindfulness by examining mental toughness (MT) using network and mediator analyses. The study included 414 adolescents. The results showed that MT was positively related to eustress and mindfulness, but distress was negatively related to MT. Based on the network analysis findings, we tested mindfulness' mediating role in the relationship between eustress-distress and MT. The findings showed that mindfulness played a significant mediating role. However, the mediating role of mindfulness was negative for the relationship between distress and toughness and positive for eustress. These findings advance eustress, distress, and mindfulness as mechanisms for understanding the effects of MT. Considering current knowledge of MT, eustress, distress, and mindfulness, the results are discussed.

Inter-rate Reliability Of Mental Toughness Scores By Head And Assistant Coaches: A Repeated-measure Design

Inter-rate Reliability Of Mental Toughness Scores By Head And Assistant Coaches: A Repeated-measure Design

Social Support and Social Adjustment Among Chinese Secondary School Students: The Mediating Roles of Subjective Well-Being and Psychological Resilience.

Within the scope of secondary education, social adjustment among students signifies their ability to effectively engage in social activities and adapt to shifting social environments. Extensive research across diverse geographical and sociocultural landscapes has demonstrated a positive correlation between social support and social adjustment; nonetheless, the specific mechanisms that facilitate this correlation among secondary school students remain largely unexplored. This study examines the roles of subjective well-being and psychological resilience as potential mediators in the connection between social support and social adjustment. To achieve this, a descriptive correlation design was employed with four measures, including Social Support Scale, Social Adjustment Diagnosis Scale, Adolescent Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Chinese version of Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI). A total of 1537 valid responses from secondary school students across Zhejiang province (China) were collected, of which 786 were boys (51.1%) and 751 girls (48.9%), with average age of 16.89 years (SD = 0.79). This research demonstrates that social support, along with subjective well-being and psychological resilience, significantly and positively influences social adjustment. It was observed that both subjective well-being and psychological resilience, whether occurring simultaneously or in succession, partially mediate the influence of social support on social adjustment. The implications of this research suggest that enhancing social adjustment among secondary school students can be achieved by increasing their levels of social support, thereby boosting subjective wellbeing and fortifying psychological resilience. Within the environment of secondary schools, augmenting social support leads to improved social adjustment; furthermore, enhancing subjective wellbeing and reinforcing psychological resilience are crucial for supporting students' positive adaptation to dynamic social environments. Teachers and educational policymakers could implement training programmes, provide psychological counselling, and bolster home-school collaboration as strategies to foster better social adjustment among students.

Inter-rater Reliability Validation Via The Military Training Mental Toughness Inventory In Firefighters: Follow-up Psychometric Analysis

Inter-rater Reliability Validation Via The Military Training Mental Toughness Inventory In Firefighters: Follow-up Psychometric Analysis

The Impact of Academic Achievement, Clinical Performance Ability, and Mental Toughness on Burnout Among Nursing College Students During Practicum: A Multiple Mediation Model Analysis

The Impact of Academic Achievement, Clinical Performance Ability, and Mental Toughness on Burnout Among Nursing College Students During Practicum: A Multiple Mediation Model Analysis

Evaluation of the 10-item Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ10): cross-cultural assessment and scrutiny of method effects

The 10-item Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ10) is an easy to administer, global measure of mental toughness. Previous analysis established that the MTQ10 was psychometrically superior to the preceding, widely used, 18-item version. Nevertheless, the MTQ10 is potentially undermined by a method effect arising from the inclusion of negatively phrased items. Noting this, the present paper further assessed the measurement properties of the MTQ10 via cross-cultural comparisons. This involved assessing the factor composition in samples from the UK (N = 596), Greece (N = 1230), and Italy (N = 425). Rather than a strict method effect, analyses found effects specific to pairs of negative items. The emergent model demonstrated partial invariance across countries. National variations in mental toughness scores were ascribable to societal differences. Convergent validity was demonstrated using theoretically related variables (Dark Triad and Life Satisfaction). Overall, results supported the use of the MTQ10 as a global mental toughness measure. Additionally, outcomes suggested that further cross-cultural comparison would provide useful insights into the nature of mental toughness.