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The Concept of Mental Toughness: Tests of Dimensionality, Nomological Network, and Traitness
Abstract
Mental toughness has received increased scholarly attention in recent years, yet conceptual issues related to its (i) dimensionality, (ii) nomological network, and (iii) traitness remain unresolved. The series of studies reported in this paper were designed to examine these three substantive issues across several achievement contexts including sport, education, military and the workplace.
Five studies were conducted to examine these research aims: Study 1: N = 30; Study 2: calibration sample (n = 418), tertiary students (n = 500), athletes (n = 427), and employees (n = 550); Study 3: N = 497 employees; Study 4: N = 203 tertiary students; Study 5: N = 115 army candidates.
Collectively, the results of these studies revealed that mental toughness may be best conceptualized as a undimensional rather than a multidimensional concept; plays an important role in performance, goal progress, and thriving despite stress; and can vary and have enduring properties across situations and time.
This series of studies provides a foundation for further basic and applied research of mental toughness across various achievement contexts.
... Mental toughness (MT) is defined as "a state-like psychological resource that is purposeful, flexible, and efficient in nature for the enactment and maintenance of goal-directed pursuits" (18). Although many definitions exist, the above definition of MT points to the complexity (22) of this psychological construct, which is primarily examined in the current study. ...
... For SCCs to fully understand, implement, and harmonize their understanding of MT with their athletes, they must first educate themselves on how to do so. Rather than limiting themselves to purely physiological training to foster MT (5), it is encouraged in the literature that SCCs work on their own MT, model desired behaviors of their athletes' MT, and be purposeful in educating themselves and their staff on how to best build MT (e.g., study MT strategies, attend sport psychology conferences, and seek out professionals for advisement) (18,46,47). In recognizing this, it is equally important that athletes fully understand and harmonize their perception of MT with their SCC's. ...
... The MTI is a self-report MT measure that includes eight items (see Appendix A); specific items include but are not limited to, "I believe in my ability to achieve my goals," "I consistently overcome adversity," and "I can find a positive in most situations." In order, each item of the MTI evaluates the following MT measures: generalized self-efficacy, emotional regulation, success mindset, buoyancy, overcoming adversity, context knowledge, and optimistic style (18). ...
Mental toughness (MT) is a popularized term in sports since it has been found to be positively related to performance. Self-assessment is the most common method of MT data collection. In the strength and conditioning (S&C) context, MT research has focused on males with a notable lack of female participants. Division 1 NCAA strength and conditioning coaches (SCC) spend more hours with their athletes during offseason training than any other coach. The purpose of this study was to measure the perceived effectiveness of an off-season S&C training regimen on MT levels of female athletes while also examining the differences in these perceptions between athletes, teammates, and their SCC. Following a quasi-experimental, longitudinal design, 12 student-athletes assessed their own (n = 58) and one teammate's (n = 58) levels of MT using the Mental Toughness Index five times over their off-season training S&C regimen. The SCC rated his players, as well (n = 60). MT levels increased significantly post-intervention [F (1, 23) = 7.27, p = .001]. The student-athletes perceived the effect of the intervention as more substantial compared to the SCC [F (1, 117) = 49.03, p < .001]. A more compatible perception of MT was found between athlete and teammate; no statistical significance was observed [F (1, 115) = 1.51, p = .221]. Evidence to support that this off-season S&C program worked regarding increasing MT levels was found. Our findings indicate compatibility between athletes, but not between athletes and coach, in recognizing this construct.
... In many contexts, varying terms such as implicit beliefs, self-theories, implicit theories, entity and incremental beliefs, or growth mindset theories (Burnette et al., 2013;Gucciardi et al., 2015;Vella et al., 2016) have been used to explore the concept of mindset and implicit theory (for review, see Lüftenegger & Chen, 2017). Early research in the physical exercise domain focused on characterising motivation profiles in secondary students, and their associations with mindset beliefs, levels of physical activity, and goal orientation (Spray et al., 2006;Wang et al., 2002;Wang & Biddle, 2001). ...
... Wang and Biddle (2001) discovered motivational profiles interacted differently with combinations of mindset beliefs. Whereas Gucciardi et al. (2015) found two different profiles of mindset beliefs, a high-growth (incremental)/low-fixed (entity) group and an ambivalent mindset group, however both groups indicated moderate scores for mental toughness in adolescent athletes. Consequently, it is important to understand how fixed and growth beliefs combine within individuals to form Athletic Mindsets, and examine if these composite mindsets predict sporting performance and sportrelated psychological variables such as coping. ...
... As hypothesised, an ANCOVA found that athletes with a HighG/LowF mindset were more likely to compete at high sporting levels than athletes with a LowG/LowF, LowG/HighF, or HighG/HighF mindset (after controlling for age, years in sport, and type of sport). Differences found between mindset groups are similar to previous research that found composite mindset groups differed on psychological variables (e.g., Gucciardi et al., 2015;Wang & Biddle, 2001). This finding is remarkable, however, because neither growth nor fixed mindset beliefs were independently associated with sports performance in the current sample. ...
This study examined how growth and fixed mindset beliefs coexist within athletes to form distinct Athletic Mindsets; and whether these composite mindsets differentially predict level of sport performance and athletic coping skills. Athletes in Australia (N = 281, 52% male, Mage = 32.21, SD = 14.40) completed self-report questionnaires measuring mindset, athletic coping, and level of sport performance. Cluster analysis of growth and fixed belief variables identified four distinct athletic mindset profiles: High-Growth/Low-Fixed, Low Growth /Low Fixed, Low Growth /High Fixed, and High-Growth/High Fixed. Analysis revealed that athletes with a HighG/LowF mindset were more likely to participate at higher levels of sport performance than athletes with the other three mindsets, and that this predictive effect was mediated by greater athletic coping skills. These findings indicate that growth and fixed mindset beliefs coexist and interact, and that possessing a HighG/LowF mindset benefits sports performance and coping. These findings illustrate support for the use of athletic mindset profiles to predict level of sport performance and inform coaching strategies.
... ➢ MT is prominent in elite sports as a feature of pursuing goals (Farnsworth et al. 2021;Gucciardi et al. 2015;Jones, 2002;) ➢ Elite Triathlon MT appears to be exceptionally high (Sharp & Hodge, 2014;Sleivert & Rowlands, 1996) ➢ In executive coaching: ...
... ➢ Authors have recognised MT in business but not in executive coaching (Gucciardi et al., 2015;Wiliams, 2014) ➢ As a result, this study is the first empirical evidence of MT in the field ➢ The study extends the current conceptual MT understanding for German executive coaching (Farnsworth et al. 2021;Gucciardi et al. 2015, Liew et al. 2019) ➢ Thereby, the study demonstrates that MT can be conceptually distinguished from resilience (Liu et al. 2017;Smith, 2017;Windle, 2012) The study extends the definition, conceptual meaning and applicability of MT 15 6. Research Contribution -Executive Coaching MT ➢ lluminates the ways in which MT may be useful ➢ Such insights advance coaching on goals as it fills the research gap on how MT can be used in typical goal-related coaching work to improve goal pursuit (Grant, 2020;Kruglanski et al. 2002) ➢ Specifically, this study extends two seminal models: ...
... ➢ Authors have recognised MT in business but not in executive coaching (Gucciardi et al., 2015;Wiliams, 2014) ➢ As a result, this study is the first empirical evidence of MT in the field ➢ The study extends the current conceptual MT understanding for German executive coaching (Farnsworth et al. 2021;Gucciardi et al. 2015, Liew et al. 2019) ➢ Thereby, the study demonstrates that MT can be conceptually distinguished from resilience (Liu et al. 2017;Smith, 2017;Windle, 2012) The study extends the definition, conceptual meaning and applicability of MT 15 6. Research Contribution -Executive Coaching MT ➢ lluminates the ways in which MT may be useful ➢ Such insights advance coaching on goals as it fills the research gap on how MT can be used in typical goal-related coaching work to improve goal pursuit (Grant, 2020;Kruglanski et al. 2002) ➢ Specifically, this study extends two seminal models: ...
This thesis concerns the transfer of Mental Toughness from elite triathlon coaching to top executive coaching in Germany. It analyses how experienced coaches from both contexts understand the concept of Mental Toughness and their views about the ways and the extent to which Mental Toughness may be applicable in German executive coaching. This study is important because it investigates the relevance of Mental Toughness, which is an eminent concept in sports coaching, in an executive coaching context where it has never been subject to empirical research. The value to the research field of executive coaching is that Mental Toughness might offer new ways of understanding how coaching can help with translating goals into action. In addition, practitioners could profit from applying Mental Toughness in improving the client’s ability to withstand better hindrances and challenges, which is one central claim of mental toughness as it is interpreted in the sports literature.
The research design for this study is qualitative. Data from 22 interviews with international elite triathlon coaches and German top executive coaches in a one-moment-in-time sampling approach are used to answer the research questions. The findings and analysis reveal that mental toughness can be relevant and valuable in the coaching of German top executives as an important supplement to existing coaching processes. Findings suggest that mental toughness, as a feature of coaching, can build awareness and sensitivity to issues of long-term persistence. The study advances executive coaching theory and practice and shows how Mental Toughness could be integrated into executive coaching theory in its focus on goal pursuit persistence energy.
... Mental toughness is related to success and progression in sport and is described as a personal capacity to consistently produce good performances despite varying situational demand levels (Gucciardi et al., 2015). While the debate concerning the nature of the construct continues, most researchers argue that mental toughness is a reasonably stable and enduring disposition that is unlikely to change rapidly (Hardy et al., 2014). ...
... In terms of flow, the mental toughness is regarded as personal attribute supporting the process of performance excellence and sustained achievement in sport (Csikszentmihalyi, 2002;Gucciardi et al., 2015). The common intersection between flow and mental toughness concerning optimal functioning highlights the importance of understanding the Mental toughness-flow relationship. ...
... The result of the analysis by the PLS-SEM is in line with prior study (Gucciardi et al., 2015) that showed higher levels of perceived stress were associated with lower levels of flow state among athletes. The present study also supports the previous result among female athletes which stated that during any kind of competition related to the sports, the stress is quite common phenomenon and it is accompanied by variety of other stressors which ultimately effects the concentration and goal orientation in other words it impacts on the flow state during sports (Luthar et al., 2006;Masten, 2004). ...
This study was objectified to examine the effect of perceived stress on flow state among female athletes at university. level through the lens of mental toughness. For the purpose a cross-sectional research design was conducted in which 187 female athletes were recruited from three public sector universities of Punjab purposefully. The sample was justified through a-priori sample size calculator for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The perceived stress, flow state and mental toughness were measured by Perceived Stress Scale-PSS, Flow Short Scale- FSS and Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire-SMTQ respectively. Resultantly, the partial least square-structural equation modeling showed greater levels of perceived stress associated with lower levels of flow state and greater levels of sports mental toughness associated with greater levels of flow state in female athletes. Importantly, the results of the mediation analysis showed that mental toughness partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and flow state among the female university athletes. The study findings shed light on the fact the experiences of flow during physical activities needs to be monitored to reduce the stress perceived by female athletes, whereas this also showed an important finding that female athletes with greater mental toughness does experience better flow during their sports related activities.
... The concept of mental toughness as a resource has emerged from the understanding of self-assessment of resilience (Bakker and Demerouti, 2014). Grit, hardiness, self-esteem, hope, optimism, personal effectiveness and self-efficacy come under the umbrella of personal resources (Klette, 2017), but mental toughness grows beyond these characteristics (Gucciardi et al., 2015). Mental toughness is defined as an individual's capacity to work in the direction of self-defined goals, dealing with demands, adversities and challenges and sustaining performance levels (Gucciardi et al., 2015). ...
... Grit, hardiness, self-esteem, hope, optimism, personal effectiveness and self-efficacy come under the umbrella of personal resources (Klette, 2017), but mental toughness grows beyond these characteristics (Gucciardi et al., 2015). Mental toughness is defined as an individual's capacity to work in the direction of self-defined goals, dealing with demands, adversities and challenges and sustaining performance levels (Gucciardi et al., 2015). Popularly drawn from sports psychology, the conceptualisation of mental toughness is scarce in organisational literature, and its importance in organisational sciences is yet to gain considerable momentum (Ruparel, 2020). ...
... Additionally, mental toughness is a personal resource that nurtures employee job crafting and AH. Because mental toughness can be attained through training (Gucciardi et al., 2015), putting employees through training and learning regimes that cultivate mental toughness (team training, outdoor training, sensitivity training, management games, role play and stimulus-based training) are profitable to employees personally, at the team level as well as the organisational level. If mental toughness conserves resources of employees, it drives them to perform well at work, which is beneficial for their personal growth at work. ...
Purpose
Millennial managers are required to adopt to contemporary management practices and continually evolve to manage the workforce. To help them evolve and create positive workplaces, this study aims to extrapolate the associations between job crafting, mental toughness and authentic happiness (AH) among millennials and derive implications.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was collected from 496 millennial employees at Time-1 (March 2018), Time-2 (November 2018) and Time-3 (August 2019) from multiple sectors. A combined structural equation modelling and artificial neural networks approach was implied to test the strength of the proposed associations.
Findings
With reference to the relationships thus obtained between job crafting, mental toughness and AH, the results specifically conclude that challenging job demand is significant predictor of AH. Mental toughness partially mediates the relationship between challenging job demands and AH, indicating that mental toughness is an essential component for employee happiness.
Practical implications
Millennial managers and policymakers must challenge the skills of employees for obtaining optimal performance. When employees perceive adequate workload and have a set deadline for the completion of tasks assigned to them, they carry out the tasks with greater efficacy, in turn, leading them to find greater meaning (focusing on essential tasks), purpose and engagement in life (enthusiastic, interested, engaged). Overall, when millennial managers focus on such associations, they can help enhance productivity and constitute happier workplaces.
Originality/value
This study explores constructs such as mental toughness to support the job crafting and happiness relationship. A hybrid statistical analysis strengthens the accuracy of the proposed model and enhances its empirical and implied value.
... Mental toughness is a personality trait that enables individuals to cope better with challenging tasks. Behavioral research shows that individuals who score high on mental toughness have higher productivity [1], academic performance [2] and performance on cognitive tasks [1,[3][4][5][6]. It is believed that people with high mental toughness scores invest more effort in cognitive tasks by encoding relevant information and inhibiting irrelevant information, which leads to better performance [7]. ...
... Mental toughness is a personality trait that enables individuals to cope better with challenging tasks. Behavioral research shows that individuals who score high on mental toughness have higher productivity [1], academic performance [2] and performance on cognitive tasks [1,[3][4][5][6]. It is believed that people with high mental toughness scores invest more effort in cognitive tasks by encoding relevant information and inhibiting irrelevant information, which leads to better performance [7]. ...
... Research shows that mental toughness correlates with motivation and goal orientation [65,66]. Moreover, mental toughness is positively associated with the level of productivity of employees with a high level of perceived stress, as well as with academic performance [1,3]. Thus, mental toughness reflects the set of personality characteristics necessary to maintain a sufficient level of effort when difficult tasks arise [5]. ...
Cognitive effort is intrinsically linked to task difficulty, intelligence, and mental toughness. Intelligence reflects an individual’s cognitive aptitude, whereas mental toughness (MT) reflects an individual’s resilience in pursuing success. Research shows that parietal alpha oscillations are associated with changes in task difficulty. Critically, it remains unclear whether parietal alpha oscillations are modulated by intelligence and MT as a personality trait. We examined event-related (de)synchronization (ERD/ERS) of alpha oscillations associated with encoding, retention, and recognition in the Sternberg task in relation to intelligence and mental toughness. Eighty participants completed the Sternberg task with 3, 4, 5 and 6 digits, Raven Standard Progressive Matrices test and an MT questionnaire. A positive dependence on difficulty was observed for all studied oscillatory effects (t = −8.497, p < 0.001; t = 2.806, p < 0.005; t = −2.103, p < 0.05). The influence of Raven intelligence was observed for encoding-related alpha ERD (t = −2.02, p = 0.049). The influence of MT was observed only for difficult conditions in recognition-related alpha ERD (t = −3.282, p < 0.005). Findings indicate that the modulation of alpha rhythm related to encoding, retention and recognition may be interpreted as correlates of cognitive effort modulation. Specifically, results suggest that effort related to encoding depends on intelligence, whereas recognition-related effort level depends on mental toughness.
... The variables of mental toughness and those of spiritual intelligence focus on the self-consciousness degree and the awareness of thoughts and feelings and the surrounding events and the effective methods for solving problems. Mental toughness and spiritual intelligence help individuals to know the suitable opportunities for realizing their goals and objectives as they provide them with the self-confidence necessary to overcome challenges and difficulties [17]. Having a high degree of spiritual intelligence, the skill of speculation, and taking advantage of the negative experience might help people control their effects and organize them when facing difficult situations. ...
... They are also calm and able to control their feelings emotions and stress. Individual toughness not only helps people achieve high-quality objectives but also motivates them to pursue their goals and objectives and overcome their daily-life pressures [17,[41][42][43]. Therefore, the positive psychological traits that help people face their challenges, and shape their manners toward different reactions are subsumed under the rubric of mental toughness [44]. ...
The present study aims to investigate the components of spiritual intelligence that predict mental toughness and emotional creativity. It also reveals the statistically significant differences in spiritual intelligence, mental toughness, and emotional creativity in terms of the gender and academic specialization variables. The measurements of spiritual intelligence, mental toughness, and the measurement of emotional creativity have been applied to a sample study consisting of 192 male and female students from Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University. The results of the study have proven that it is possible to predict mental toughness through the components of spiritual intelligence. In addition, the positive diagnosis of difficulties was considered to be the most significant component in predicting emotional creativity, followed by awareness and transcendence. The results also showed that there are no statistically significant differences between spiritual intelligence and mental toughness concerning the gender variable or the academic specialization and the same case applies to emotional creativity in terms of specialization. However, there are statistically significant differences in emotional creativity which can be accounted for by the gender variable for males.
... En la disciplina de la psicología del deporte, la fortaleza mental es una variable que ha crecido en popularidad dentro de la academia en los últimos años (Gucciardi et al., 2017;Poulus et al., 2020). Se puede definir como la capacidad de un deportista para producir altos niveles de desempeño subjetivo (como el cumplir objetivos) y objetivo (como la cantidad de puntos obtenidos en una partida), sobreponiéndose a los desafíos y estresores que se presenten (Gucciardi et al, 2015;Gucciardi et al., 2017). La fortaleza mental ha sido estudiada en varios deportes tradicionales, como, por ejemplo, el hockey femenino (Rasyid et al., 2019), levantamiento de pesas (Shang & Yang, 2021), el fútbol (García & Santana, 2018), entre otros., tanto a nivel individual como a nivel grupal (Kumar, 2017). ...
... En el presente estudio, la escala arrojó un alfa de Cronbach que fue de .82 a .85. Mental Toughness Index (MTI; Gucciardi et al., 2015): esta prueba se utiliza para evaluar la fortaleza mental de los participantes, donde puntajes más altos indican mayor presencia de la misma. Posee una estructura unifactorial compuesta por 8 ítems con 7 opciones de respuesta de tipo Likert (1 -Totalmente falso para mí, 7 -Totalmente verdadero para mí). ...
Background: Esports are here to stay. Previous studies have shown that sports athletes have characteristics Esports are here to stay. Previous studies have shown that esports athletes have similar characteristics, such as satisfaction from competing, as those in traditional sports. However, being an area still growing, few studies have addressed them in Latin America. This study aimed to determine the relationship and predictors of mental toughness from the satisfaction of basic needs in amateur esports players from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: For this, a sample of 426 participants (85% male) was constituted, with a mean age of 22 years (SD = 3.67), who answered the Basic Needs Satisfaction in Sport Scale (BNSSS) and the Mental Toughness Index (MTI) questionnaire, as well as a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: The results indicated a strong relationship between both variables, especially with the dimensions of competence satisfaction and perception of choice, also being the main predictors of mental strength. Conclusions: These results provide new empirical evidence for this area in formation, as well as different issues to be taken into account to develop mental strength and sporting success in esports.
... 4 Mental toughness is further characterized by a balanced perspective, strong self-belief, feelings of control, perseverance, and presence throughout setback experiences. 4,5 Because of these elements, coaches and athletes may believe that mental toughness has the potential to help athletes through their injury experience. However, there is a risk that mental toughness might lead to some maladaptive outcomes for injured athletes. ...
... 22 Wilson et al 21 explored how self-compassion helped to build mental toughness in elite Canadian women athletes participating in competitive sport settings-self-compassionate athletes were able to "understand, reappraise, and move forward after facing adversity" and, as a result, shift back into a mentally tough mindset. Moreover, Killham et al 20 identified a significant positive relationship between self-compassion and perceived level of performance (ie, one component of mental toughness 5 ). Our results lend support to the supposition that mental toughness and self-compassion might work in tandem with one another-rather than undermining each other-to enhance coping and success among athletes in a variety of sport settings. ...
Helping athletes cope effectively with injury is likely of great interest to many sport stakeholders. Mental toughness is one psychological factor positively associated with resilience and sport performance, though stubborn persistence through injury might not always be conducive to adaptive athlete outcomes. Self-compassion—a balanced, nonjudgmental approach in relating to oneself when experiencing suffering—might help circumvent these pitfalls and complement injury recovery. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between mental toughness and self-compassion in a sport injury context. This study consisted of 2 phases—phase I quantitatively assessed the relationships between mental toughness, self-compassion, and other psychological constructs, while phase II used qualitative interviews to corroborate and inform these findings. In phase I, competitive athletes who were injured at the time of data collection (n = 81) completed mental toughness, self-compassion, coping resources, self-esteem, and self-criticism questionnaires. Self-compassion was positively correlated with mental toughness ( r = .48, P < .01), coping resources ( r = .54, P < .05), and self-esteem ( r = .60, P < .01). Self-compassion and self-criticism were negatively correlated with each other ( r = –.52, P < .01). Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that self-compassion was a significant predictor of mental toughness (Δ R ² = .07, P < .01), coping resources (Δ R ² = .10, P < .01), and self-criticism (Δ R ² = .06, P < .01), beyond the effects of self-esteem. Four injured athletes who scored above the median on mental toughness and self-compassion measures were interviewed in phase II. Thematic analysis generated 2 themes: (1) self-compassion grants access to wise mental toughness and (2) mental toughness helps activate self-compassionate actions during injury. These findings are consistent with recent research and suggest that both mental toughness and self-compassion can work together to help athletes cope with sport injury.
... Ackerman et al. [21] already proposed in 2011 that interindividual differences are the most overlooked subject in the study of MF. Multiple, more recent, studies have agreed with this statement, and have mentioned that these differences are something important to keep in mind in future research [16, 19, 20, fitness level) have been more extensively investigated compared to psychological factors (e.g., mental toughness [38], hardiness [39]). However, the exact role of each of these individual features in defining MF-susceptibility is yet to be accurately determined, given that no large study has examined these features in relation with one another. ...
Abstract Background The negative effect of mental fatigue (MF) on physical performance has recently been questioned. One reason behind this could lie in the interindividual differences in MF-susceptibility and the individual features influencing them. However, the range of individual differences in mental fatigue-susceptibility is not known, and there is no clear consensus on which individual features could be responsible for these differences. Objective To give an overview of interindividual differences in the effects of MF on whole-body endurance performance, and individual features influencing this effect. Methods The review was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42022293242). PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and PsycINFO were searched until the 16th of June 2022 for studies detailing the effect of MF on dynamic maximal whole-body endurance performance. Studies needed to include healthy participants, describe at least one individual feature in participant characteristics, and apply at least one manipulation check. The Cochrane crossover risk of bias tool was used to assess risk of bias. The meta-analysis and regression were conducted in R. Results Twenty-eight studies were included, with 23 added to the meta-analysis. Overall risk of bias of the included studies was high, with only three presenting an unclear or low rating. The meta-analysis shows the effect of MF on endurance performance was on average slightly negative (g = − 0.32, [95% CI − 0.46; − 0.18], p
... Se ha argumentado que el bajo nivel de consistencia interna de sus factores es debido al reducido número de reactivos en cada uno y no a una falta de homogeneidad en ellos. Un puntaje total menor al percentil 25 indica un bajo nivel de bienestar psicológico, mientras que uno igual o mayor al percentil 50 y 75 indica un nivel promedio y alto respectivamente (Casullo, 2002 Por último, la fortaleza mental con el instrumento Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI, Gucciardi et al., 2015), fue traducido como Inventario de Fortaleza Mental (IFM). Es una escala con 8 ítems tipo Likert de 7 puntos, en la que 1 significa que es totalmente falso, y 7 que es totalmente verdadero dentro de lo que normalmente piensan, sienten y se comportan, siendo su fiabilidad de.85. ...
The perception of vitality is essential for physical, psychological functioning and for the psychological well-being of athletes.Research in sport psychology indicates that there is a high correlation between subjective vitality and psychological wellbeing, being mental strength a protective variable for health, since it increases psychological wellbeing. Therefore, the objective of this study is to know the level of psychological well-being and the possible relationships between the three constructs in a sample of adolescents and young adults with high athletic performance in combat sports.The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between the three variables, being vitality that explains part of mental strength and psychological wellbeing with a high effect size. In addition, the Mental Force is a mediator of the relationship of subjective vitality with psychological wellbeing(B=.122; SE= .028; LLCI=.073; ULCI=.183).That is, subjective vitality influences psychological well-being through mental strength. Therefore, mental toughness is not only important as a construct, but plays a mediating role in this study. It seems important to develop intervention programs for young athletes for the acquisition of skills focused on the variables studied.
La percepción de vitalidad es crítica para el funcionamiento físico, psicológico, y para el bienestar psicológico de los deportistas. Las investigaciones en el ámbito del deporte indican que existe una alta correlación entre vitalidad subjetiva y bienestar psicológico, siendo la fortaleza mental una variable protectora para la salud, ya que aumenta el bienestar psicológico. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio es conocer el nivel de bienestar psicológico y las posibles relaciones que existen entre los tres constructos en una muestra de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes de alto rendimiento deportivo en deportes de combate. Los resultados indican que existe una relación positiva entre las tres variables, siendo la vitalidad la que explica parte de la fortaleza mental y el bienestar psicológico con un efecto del tamaño alto. Además, la Fortaleza Mental es mediador de la relación de vitalidad subjetiva con bienestar psicológico (B=.122; SE= .028; LLCI=.073; ULCI=.183).Es decir, la vitalidad subjetiva influye en el bienestar psicológico mediante la fortaleza mental. Por tanto, la fortaleza mental no solo es importante como constructo, sino que en este estudio desempeña un rol de mediador. Parece importante el desarrollo de programas de intervención a jóvenes deportistas para la adquisición de habilidades centradas en las variables estudiadas.
A percepção da vitalidade é fundamental para o funcionamentofísico, psicológicoalém de para o bem-estar psicológico dos atletas. Pesquisas na área do esporteindicam que existe uma alta correlação entre vitalidade subjetiva e bem-estar psicológico, sendo a força mental umavariávelprotetora para a saúde, pois aumenta o bem-estar psicológico. Neste sentido, o alvodesteestudo é conhecer o nível de bem-estar psicológico e as possíveisrelações que existem entre os trêsconstrutos em umaamostra de adolescentes e adultos jovenscom alto desempenho atlético em esportes de combate. Os resultados mostram que existe umarelação positiva entre as trêsvariáveis, com a vitalidade explicando parte da força mental e do bem-estar psicológicocomumtamanho de efeito alto.Alémdisso, a Resistência Mental medeia a relação entre vitalidade subjetiva e bem-estar psicológico(B=.122; SE= .028; LLCI=.073; ULCI=.183). Ouseja, a vitalidade subjetiva influencia o bem-estar psicológico através da resistência mental. Portanto, a resistência mental não é apenas importante como construto, mas tambémdesempenhaum papel mediador nesteestudo. Parece importante desenvolver programas de intervenção para jovens atletas para aquisição de habilidades focadasnasvariáveis estudadas.
... 32 Olumsuz ya da zorlayıcı durumlarla bireylerin başa çıkabilmelerinde ve hedeflerine odaklanıp başarılı olabilmelerinde zihinsel dayanıklılık önemli bir psikolojik yapıdır. 33 Yaptığımız çalışmada zihinsel dayanıklılık envanterinin sonuçlarına bakıldığında her iki eğitim grubunda da grup içi parametrelerde anlamlı bir artış görüldü. Bu sonuçlara bakılarak eğitimlerin sporcuların kendilerine olan güvenlerinin arttığını, sporcuların daha konsantre ve kontrollü olmaya başladıklarını söyleyebiliriz. ...
... Mental toughness can be thought of as a psychological reserve, allowing athletes to maintain high performance in the face of stresses which vary in frequency and severity [19]. The Mental Toughness Index is comprised of eight statements relating to mental toughness in sport [20]. It is scored from "0strongly disagree" to "4strongly agree". ...
Introduction: The mental health of elite athletes has been recognised as of great importance. There have been relatively few studies examining the prevalence of mental health problems in swimmers. None have commented on the range of psychosocial problems associated with mental ill-health. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of common mental health problems and psychosocial problems in elite swimmers. Methods: The study was conducted on a national swimming squad competing at the international level. All athletes (n=55) were invited to participate. The response rate was 63.3% (n=36). The study was cross-sectional in design. Data was collected using a battery of psychometric tests yielding information on distress (The Distress Screener), anxiety and depression (PHQ-9, K10), sleep disturbance (PROMIS scale), alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), smoking behaviour, adverse nutrition behaviour, career satisfaction (Career Satisfaction Scale) and mental toughness (Mental Toughness Index). Results: The prevalence of depression was 14% (n=5). Six percent (n=2) reported suicidal ideation in the last 2 weeks. Fourteen percent met criteria for distress. There were positive correlations between depression and sleep disturbance ( r=.343, p<.05), between anxiety/depression and distress ( r=.380, p<.05), and between depression and distress ( r=.531, p<.01). Career dissatisfaction was identified in 46% of participants and was inversely correlated with mental toughness ( r=.485, p<.01). Low mental toughness and adverse alcohol use were identified in 37% and 23% of participants, respectively. Conclusions: Elite swimmers experience common mental illnesses and associated psychosocial problems. There is a relationship between career dissatisfaction and low mental toughness. Sport governing bodies should assess their own athlete populations and implement programmes to support mental health.
... Nearly 88% of pertinent investigations discovered that athletes with greater levels of MT frequently achieve more or perform better (Cook, 2014). The use of sport-specific performance metrics in many of these research, as opposed to competitive standards, which give more indirect evidence confirming the impact of MT on athletic performance (Gucciardi, 2015). According to the latest study, factors that influence mental toughness include learnt, experienced, and environmental factors in addition to inherited factors Gordon & Sridhar, 2005;Thelwell et al., 2005). ...
Background of the Study- One of the most frequently used but poorly understood concepts
in applied sport psychology is mental toughness (MT) (Goldberg, 1998). It's crucial to
understand that developing mental toughness is a taught talent, that it is essential for all
athletes to master, and that it requires regular, serious training just like your physical body
does. In the football mental game, mental toughness includes resilience in both players and
coaches. You must possess a few qualities in order to be resilient, including the ability to
endure pressure, stress, and hardship, the ability to bounce back from setbacks or overcome
them, the persistence or unwillingness to give up, a lack of sensitivity or toughness, and
superior mental abilities.
Purpose of the study- The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the level of
mental toughness of football referees at the national and state levels in India.
Material and Method- A total of 30 referees were chosen from various Indian states and
union territories for the investigation (15 national and 15 state referees). The Psychological
Performance Inventory, developed by Loehr (1986), was used to collect data using a mental
toughness questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 42 questions focused on the
subdomains of mental toughness, including Self-Confidence, Control of Negative Energy,
Attention, Visualization, Motivation, Positive Energy, and Attitude Control. Independent "t"
test was used for data analysis, with a 0.05 level of significance.
Results- According to the study's findings, there was a statistically significant difference
between the mental toughness of Indian football referees at the national and state levels in
particular subvariables including visualisation and attitude control. The study's conclusion
was that other all psychological traits related to mental toughness were not significant.
Conclusion- The study found out that National Level Refrees has a considerable better
mental toughness in terms of visualization and attitude control.
... Nearly 88% of pertinent investigations discovered that athletes with greater levels of MT frequently achieve more or perform better (Cook, 2014). The use of sport-specific performance metrics in many of these research, as opposed to competitive standards, which give more indirect evidence confirming the impact of MT on athletic performance (Gucciardi, 2015). According to the latest study, factors that influence mental toughness include learnt, experienced, and environmental factors in addition to inherited factors Gordon & Sridhar, 2005;Thelwell et al., 2005). ...
The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the level of
mental toughness of football referees at the national and state levels in India.
... In the results of studies conducted in recent years, scientists have not agreed on the conceptual framework of mental toughness (Clough et al., 2002;Gould et al., 2002;Gucciardi et al., 2009;Thelwell et al., 2005). The necessity of embodying the conceptual framework more effectively and accurately emerges (Gucciardi et al., 2015). Mental toughness, in the most general way, is explained as the better level of coping skills of athletes in training, competition and some different events compared to their competitors in different mental situations. ...
Scientific realities show that mental toughness and psychological skills are very important for athletes to be psychologically well not only before the competition but also during and after the competition. Being able to continue the sports life at the same time while carrying out educational activities requires more mental toughness and psychological skills than usual. From this point of view, the research aims to determine the role of psychological skills in sports in the mental resilience of athletes who actively do sports and to analyse their relations with each other and with some variables. The study group of the research consists of 420 student-athletes (Avgage=21.96±3.20), 130 of them are females (31.0%) and 290 of them are males (69.0%), studying in the faculties of sports sciences. In the current study, “the Athletes' Psychological Skills Assessment Scale” and “The Mental Toughness Scale” was used. Descriptive statistics, T-Test, ANOVA and Multiple Linear Regression analysis were used for data analysis. In the research findings, it was detected that male athletes have a better ability to perform well under pressure and income status has an effect on getting rid of worries, goal setting and mental preparation. The mental toughness and psychological skills of those who slept 8 hours or less a day were higher than those who slept 8 hours or more. Similarly, it was concluded that athletes who have reading habits have higher mental toughness and psychological skills. Additionally, one of the important results of the research is also that improving concentration, being open to learning, the ability to cope with difficulties, confidence and success motivation, targeting and mental preparation skills, which
are among the psychological skills of athletes, explain 44% of the total variance in mental toughness. It can be said that psychological skills have an important role in determining mental toughness.
... 16 The study's conclusions can be used by coaches and trainers to help para-athletes develop their mental toughness so they can train for and compete in top-tier competitions. Additionally, past research indicates that mental toughness may be a crucial component of success and that mentally strong athletes are better equipped to maintain a positive attitude while competing, 17 deal with critiques, defeat, and unsatisfactory results, 18 recover from adversity, 19 accept their actions as their own responsibility, 20 and maintain composure under pressure. 21 A positive correlation between athletic performance and the MT subcomponents of focus, anxiety control, and confidence has also been identified. ...
Having psychological advantage that enables athletes to perform at their best regardless of challenges and adversity is what is meant by having mental toughness (MT). In order to better understand the mental toughness of elite Indian standing and sitting para-thrower athletes, this study looked at a variety of mental sub - scales. Elite para-throwers who competed at the international level, consider making up the sample of the current study; which includes a total of nine elite para-throwers [5 Standing Para-throwers (StPT) and 4 Seated Para-throwers (SePT)]. The researcher used the Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI), designed by Loehr, and the Personal Demographic Information form to gather data in order to ascertain the participants’ attitudes of mental toughness. An independent T-test with 0.05 significance level was performed for the research’s findings, there are no statistical significant difference between the two groups’ levels of motivation, self-confidence, ability to control negative energy, attention, visualisation, ability to control positive energy, and attitude control factors of MT. Elite Indian para-thrower athletes’ mental toughness is similar in both groups, with no discernible differences.
... From a psychological standpoint, MT has been shown to improve the ability to cope [82,83], as well as thrive, under pressure [84]. Since the PAT is a time-and criterionbased assessment stated to objectively measure FF performance and reflect the demands imposed on a FF during actual emergency situations [27], a mentally tough FF may be able to appropriately cope and thrive under such pressure/demands. ...
Physical ability test (PAT) evaluates firefighters’ (FF) occupational capacity. The contribution of anaerobic systems during PAT and mental toughness (MT) relationship to PAT is unexplored. PAT modeling based on anaerobic fitness (AF), MT, and respective relationships were examined. Fourteen male FFs (Age: 29.0 ± 7.0 years) completed a PAT composed of occupationally-specific tasks in full gear. On a separate day, a series of AF assessments were performed (handgrip-dynamometry: HG; vertical-jump: VJ; Margaria-Kalamen: MK; 300-yard shuttle run: 300YD). MT was evaluated using military training MT inventory (MTMTI) and sports MT questionnaire (SMTQ). We tested the PAT model using multiple backward regression and related correlations coefficients at p < 0.05. A 78% proportion of PAT was explained by AF parameters (F2,13 = 20.2, <0.05). PAT was significantly correlated with HG (r = −0.71, p < 0.01), VJ (r = −0.73, p < 0.01), MK (r = −0.75, p < 0.01), and with 300YD (r = 0.60, p < 0.05). MT did not demonstrate significant correlation with PAT (p > 0.01). Anaerobic system significantly contributes to PAT performance. FFs should optimize AF training, which would allow for enhanced occupational performance in PAT. Further investigation into psychological determinants of FFs is recommended.
... • Amongst tactical athlete populations, particularly military personnel, MT has been examined and shown to have both high correlation and a significant predictor of tactical performance using the MTMTI and SMTQ 1,7 . • Mentally tough individuals have been shown to have improved coping abilities 8,9 as well as thrive under pressure 10 . However, no relationship between MT (as measured with the MTMTI and SMTQ) and FFs' performance has been found. ...
Mental toughness (MT) research is predominantly cross-sectional and based on self-assessment. MT has been consistently positively associated with performance metrics when investigated in stressful and demanding environments, such as sports and tactical. The Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) has been used extensively in sports, while the Military Training Mental Toughness Inventory (MTMTI) in the military. In firefighting, MT research is scarce. There is no firefighting-specific MT instrument. Firefighters are considered tactical athletes. PURPOSE: To examine the concurrent validity of SMTQ and MTMTI in firefighters via a repeated-measure design. METHODS: Male firefighters from two departments (n = 14; Age: 29.0 ± 7.0; BMI: 26.3 ± 2.7) participated in the data collection process that took place over two days (two administrations; once per day). The firefighter’s MT level was assessed via both inventories. SMTQ (14 items; 4-point Likert scale) was administered to participants (self-assessment), while the MTMTI (6 items; 7-point Likert scale) to two of their officers (peer-rating). We computed the mean SMTQ and MTMTI scores over the two days (for the MTMTI scores we first calculated the mean score per day per assessor and then, combined both assessors) and for statistical analysis, we converted them to z-scores. Concurrent validity was assessed with Pearson (r) correlation, Concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and two-way random Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2k) agreement on z-scores using R statistical packages in Jamovi version 2.3 (p < .05). RESULTS: Inventories were significantly negative correlated (r = -.68, p = .008, 95%CI [-.89, -.23]) and had poor strength of agreement (CCC = -.68, 95%CI [-.88, -.25]) and reliability-agreement (ICC2k < .001, 95%CI [-1.58, .61]). CONCLUSION: Our results do not indicate agreement between the two inventories. Therefore, the inferences of the MT scores of these two different inventories are not in agreement, either. This could suggest the need for a firefighting-specific MT instrument. Regardless, practitioners should be cautious when interpreting the scores of the current MT instruments on this specific tactical population.
... Therefore, the included studies offer little by way of theoretical consensus. For the small selection of papers that did include a theoretical underpinning [22,40,48,73], theories included the maintenance of equilibrium under adversity [41,74], stress and coping [75], thriving under adversity [44] and psychological hardiness [38]. The result is surprising given the availability of resilience theory in the general and performance-specific literature, such as the compensatory model (resilience as a factor that neutralises exposures to risk), the challenge model (a risk factor can enhance adaptation), and the protective factor model (interaction between protection and risk factors reduces the probability of a negative outcome [76]. ...
A narrative systematic literature review was conducted to explore resilient performance in defence and security settings. A search strategy was employed across a total of five databases, searching published articles from 2001 onwards that assessed performance and optimal function in relation to resilience, in defence and security personnel. Following narrative synthesis, studies were assessed for quality. Thirty-two articles met inclusion criteria across a range of performance domains, including, but not limited to, course selection, marksmanship, land navigation, and simulated captivity. Some of the key findings included measures of mental toughness, confidence, and a stress-is-enhancing mindset being positively associated with performance outcomes. There was mixed evidence for the predictive value of biomarkers, although there was some support for cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and neuropeptide-y (NPY), and vagal reactivity. Interventions to improve resilient performance were focused on mindfulness or general psychological skills, with effects generally clearer on cognitive tasks rather than direct performance outcomes in the field. In sum, no single measure, nor intervention was consistently associated with performance over a range of domains. To inform future work, findings from the present review have been used to develop a framework of resilient performance, with the aim to promote theoretically informed work.
... The eight-item MT questionnaire designed by Gucciardi et al. (2015) was used asses MT. Participants were asked to indicate how true each of the statements was (e.g., "I strive for continued success"), using a 7-point Likert scale: 1 = false, 100% of the time to 7 = true, 100% of the time. ...
El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar los factores más determinantes en el fútbol profesional que hacen posible una mejora en el rendimiento del equipo al finalizar la temporada. Se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructuradas a 28 jugadores/as profesionales de fútbol (15 hombres y 13 mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre 27-41 años (M = 33.07, DT = 3.32). Todos ellos tenían experiencia profesional en la primera y segunda división española. El análisis temático de los datos se completó de manera deductiva e inductiva. Los resultados mostraron la complejidad existente dentro de un club de fútbol, con una notable importancia sobre la cohesión de equipo y sobre la figura del entrenador y cuerpo técnico para la mejora colectiva en ambos géneros. En cuanto al género, las jugadoras le dieron más importancia al staff técnico y los jugadores al tener en el equipo a deportistas con una buena calidad técnico-táctica. La relevancia de estos hallazgos radica en el conocimiento de los factores e interacciones potenciadoras y limitantes del rendimiento percibido por los jugadores/as en el fútbol profesional, así como las diferencias entre géneros. Este conocimiento podría ayudar a mejorar la gestión de grupos deportivos para potenciar el rendimiento de los equipos. Abstract. The aim of this study was identify the most determining factors in professional football that make possible an improvement in team performance at the end of the season. Structured interviews were conducted with 28 professional soccer players (15 men and 13 women), aged 27-41 years (M = 33.07, SD = 3.32). All of them had professional experience in the first and second Spanish leagues. The thematic analysis of the data was completed deductively and inductively. The results showed the existing complexity within a soccer club, with notable importance on team cohesion and the figure of the coach and coaching staff for collective improvement in both genders. Regarding gender, female players provided more importance to the technical staff, whereas male players increased their value for having technical and tactical skilled teammates within the squad. The relevance of these findings lies in the knowledge of factors and interactions that enhance and limit performance perceived by players in professional football and the differences between genders. This knowledge could help improve the management of a sports group and the training planning, to enhance the teams' performance.
... In contrast, the consequences of the data in Gucciardi et al.'s five studies suggest that the one-dimensional model is considered to be an adequate match for the data. The series of studies reported in this article were designed to test these three substantive issues across several achievement contexts, including sport, education, military and the workplace [13]. Collectively, the results of these studies also revealed that mental toughness may be best conceptualized as a one-dimensional rather than a multidimensional concept; plays an important role in performance, goal pursuit, and thriving despite stress; and can vary and have enduring properties across situations and time. ...
... to overcome losses or defeats, their confidence and performance may suffer (Skinner, 2013). Furthermore, failure could attribute as an experience which provides numerous benefits in general, as it allows for evaluation and feedback, fosters resilience and mental toughnessmotivates athletes to work hard and succeed (Cowden et al., 2014;Gucciardi et al., 2015). On the contrary, Hasham (2016) discovered that failure can cause athletes to lose faith in their talents and become cautious. ...
Every athlete must develop confidence to excel in their athletic endeavors. Athletes who develop confidence can overcome anxiety and achieve their goals. Because of the expectations that come with professional sports, even the best athletes experience anxiety. We looked up information on the role confidence plays in sports performance, anxiety in sports performance, causes of anxiety, anxiety management in athletes, and optimal athletic performance on Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, PubMed, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library. According to the findings of this review, for athletes to achieve peak athletic performance, coaches, trainers, and sport psychologists must instill sports confidence in them. This must be based on the athlete's needs and may include determining where and how the athlete gains confidence, as well as ensuring that everything remains strong while training for a competition. Athletes and those who work with them should be aware of how anxiety can affect cognitive appraisals, physiological arousals, and, ultimately, performance in a variety of performance-related situations.
... Mental toughness is one of the concepts that are at optimal function and strength. It is considered an important resource for overcoming adversity and maintaining a high level of performance and function in sport (Gucciardi et al., 2015). ...
High achievment in sports requires behavior with certain qualities. Likewise, with successful athletes, they have superior qualities not only in terms of physical but also mentality. This study aims at examining psychological characteristic because it’s one of the important factors possessed by athletes, and can influence them in. The sample used in this study are 198 East Java athletes who participates in the training center from 21 sports. The instrument used for psychological characteristics in this study is the SKPA (Scale of Psychological Characteristics for Athletes) with a factor loading value > 0.5, so that each item is valid in measuring it’s dimensions, and it’s known that the conbrach’s alpha value for each dimension is 0.7. Of the eight psychological characteristics, the highest mean value for hard work is 16.31. And the lowest mean values for opennes is 12.02. Eight psychological characteristics indicate a good category, which means that the psycology of the East Java regional training center athletes are in good condition.
... The eight-item MT questionnaire designed by Gucciardi et al. (2015) was used asses MT. Participants were asked to indicate how true each of the statements was (e.g., "I strive for continued success"), using a 7-point Likert scale: 1 = false, 100% of the time to 7 = true, 100% of the time. ...
Experts have highlighted the importance of coaches knowing the level of mental fatigue (MF) induced by different tasks. This study aimed to compare the mentally fatiguing nature of cognitive, physical, and combined tasks and, additionally, assess the effect of different moderating variables on MF. Twenty-three physically active (16 males: M age = 24 years; seven females: M age = 22.57 years) participants performed three experimental sessions: (a) physically fatiguing: 30 min of cycloergometer work (at 65%–75% of maximum heart rate), (b) mentally fatiguing: 30 min of an incongruent Stroop task, and (c) mixed fatiguing: 30 min of combining the physically and mentally fatiguing protocols. Subjective MF (visual analog scale), reaction time (psychomotor vigilance task), and cognitive performance (Stroop) were measured throughout the different protocols. Results showed significant increments in subjective MF after all tasks, with the mental and mixed protocols showing significantly higher increases. Only the mentally fatiguing protocol caused significant impairments in reaction time. No significant effects of sex, years of experience, or degree of mental toughness were observed. These results suggest that the use of all these tasks, and especially the mentally fatiguing exercises, should be avoided immediately prior to competitions due to the negative consequences of MF on performance. Moreover, this effect seems to be independent of the sex, years of experience, or mental toughness of athletes.
... Finally, this study also highlighted commitment among the major components in mental toughness development (Gucciardi, Hanton, Mallett, & Temby, 2015). The study argues that the implementation of adventure-based programs through physical education always expose participants to challenging environments and an individual's level of commitment influences ...
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) (χ2 = 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.
Our purpose with this study was to analyze trail runners' psychological variables of mental toughness (MT) and resilience, and their associations with runners' performances within a quantitative cross-sectional study. In total, we analyzed data from 307 Portuguese trail runners (60 female, 247 male), aged between 20 to 66 years (M age = 41.98; SD = 7.74). The results showed that the measurement model, including the factors of MT, resilience, and performance variables, exhibited an adequate fit to the data: χ2 = 150.01 (74); BS-p = .003; CFI= .953; TLI = .942; RMSEA = .058 90% (.045, .071) and SRMR= .042. Standardized direct effects revealed positive associations between these variables. More specifically: (a) MT was significantly associated with resilience; and (b) resilience was significantly associated with performance. The indirect regression paths showed that MT was positively associated with performance, with resilience considered a possible mediator (β = .09 IC = .010, .168; p = .02). In total, considering direct and indirect effects, the model explained 21% of performance variance among trail runners.
Background: The psychological well-being of athletes and their unique personality traits have attracted a significant amount of research, the vast majority of which has been conducted with professional or college athletes. Past research has focused on exploring and understanding the mechanisms through which the mental toughness personality trait enhances performance in sports. Limited quantitative research exists investigating mental toughness among recreational distance runners. The aim of the current study was twofold: first, to examine whether mental toughness differs in distance runners compared to non-distance runners and non-runners; second, to investigate the association between mental toughness and professional psychological support seeking attitude, in a sample of recreational runners.
Methods: The data collection is from an empirical study conducted in Greece, during July-August 2022, and is complete. The present study was conducted in a sample of 314 adult recreational athletes, with 84% having an active running status at a non-professional level. 64% of participants were males and 36% were females, and 186 respondents run at least 3 times per week for a distance of at least 5km each time. Participants answered to socio-demographic questions and completed self-report questionnaires, consisting of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ10; Dagnall et al., 2019), Self-Stigma Of Seeking Help scale (SSOSH; Vogel, Wade, & Haake, 2006), and the Attitude Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help – Short Form scale (ATSPPS-SF; Vogel et al., 2005).
Results: Findings indicated that distance runners have higher levels of mental toughness in comparison to less committed runners as well as those who do not engage with running recreationally. In addition, there was no interaction effect of mental toughness and help-seeking self-stigma on help-seeking attitude, meaning that these individuals have the capacity to exert to professional help, if they are in need, without compromising their mental health. However, a strong effect of help-seeking stigma on help-seeking attitude was identified in the recreational athletes.
Implications: This study contributes to the research body of positive psychology and sport psychology, by highlighting the mental aspect of running as recreational physical activity. Mental toughness is depicted as a positive personality trait, most profoundly found amongst recreational distance runners. Mental health professionals can resort to our findings, as complimentary resource for designing interventions and action plans, with the goal to improve their clients’ quality of life and wellbeing. Mental help seeking self-stigmatization may prevent recreational athletes from seeking professional psychological support, in fear of being perceived weak. This knowledge can provide useful insight for mental health professionals, to better understand resistance in therapy amongst their recreational athlete clients.
Keywords: mental toughness, self-stigma, attitude towards seeking psychological help, distance running, sport, athletes.
This study aimed to assess, for the first time, how self-reported sleep, mental toughness, and reaction time are impacted by a professional padel tournament. In addition, we evaluated whether sex, age, and/or ranking play a role in this possible effect of a tournament on these variables. Twenty-three professional players (15 men, M age = 24 ± 6 years; eight women, M age = 21 ± 5 years) were evaluated on two occasions: (a) baseline, in a noncompetitive week and (b) postmeasure, the morning after an individual was eliminated from the tournament. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Mental Toughness Questionnaire, and the psychomotor vigilance task were used to evaluate the dependent variables. Wilcoxon tests or paired samples t tests were employed to assess the effect of participating in the tournament. To test correlations between variables, Pearson correlation coefficients (quantitative variables) or chi-square distributions (qualitative variables) were employed. Results showed that self-reported sleep ( p < .01), mental toughness ( p = .01), and reaction time ( p = .04) were significantly impaired by the tournament. Exploring moderating variables, results showed that mental toughness did not correlate with sleep impairments ( p > .05). In contrast, a nearly significant correlation between sleep impairments and higher reaction times was found ( p = .066). No significant effects of age, sex, and ranking were observed. In conclusion, participating in a padel competition impairs the self-reported sleep, mental toughness, and reaction time of professional padel players. A trend toward a significant correlation between the competition-related impairment in sleep and reaction time was observed, whereas age, ranking, and sex were not found to be moderators of any of these impairments.
Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to examine the mental endurance levels of individuals who do team and
combat sports. The research was conducted using the descriptive survey model. Relational screening model was
used to find the difference between the variables. Material & Method: The population of the research consists
of individuals living in Denizli, Afyon and Bartın provinces in 2020-2021. The sample of the study consisted of
a total of 337 athletes, 229 women and 108 men, who have played sports for at least 1-3 years in different
branches in Denizli, Afyon and Bartın provinces. Personal Information Form and Mental Endurance Inventory in
Sports were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed in the SPSS 25.00 package program.
Findings: Frequency and mean values were used because the data sets showed normal distribution. Independent
groups t-test, one-way analysis of variance and tukey test were used for multiple comparisons between different
variables. Result: According to the findings obtained as a result of the analysis; Differences were found in the
mental stamina levels of those involved in team and fighting sports, and in the variables of gender, age,
educational status, year of doing sports, number of weekly training sessions and economic status (p<0.05).
To build a warfighter from the ground up, training should include not only the core competencies required for job performance in the Fleet but also the mental toughness expected to handle the stress, fatigue, and call for sudden action required of all sailors on duty, regardless of occupation. Recruit Training Command (RTC) has embarked on a program to provide explicit training to recruits on the development of toughness in boot camp. This program is multifaceted, including three pilot programs (two all-male pilots, one integrated/mixed gender pilot) for mental skill training. Recruit divisions were assigned to either mental toughness (MT) condition or active control (AC). The MT group received daily, 10-min guided mindfulness exercises, three “just-in-time” trainings in sports psychology skills, and an on-command focusing exercise. Results varied across the three pilots with the exception of on-time graduation rates, which favored the MT condition in every pilot. Taken together, the three MT pilot studies show possible benefits for performance during boot camp with MT practice, and predictable advantages for graduation rates.
In the last decade, mental toughness (MT) researchers have been interested in the behaviours exemplifying MT. Despite this interest, little attention has been paid to the competitive situations these behaviours occur in. Hence, the aim of the current study was to start addressing this gap by comprehensively focusing on the situations requiring MT in sport – specifically, the contextual demands linked to MT in women’s Australian rules football. Focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted at two Australian rules football clubs after each competitive round of the 2020 season. Following analysis of participant responses, three broad situational categories were created, representing the psychological demands required by the player or team to successfully overcome in-game challenges. These categories were: context intelligence, attentional regulation, and emotional regulation. This study identified that situations requiring MT also required a degree of acceptance and commitment – alluding to a potential link between acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT) and MT. Conceptually, this view offers a new perspective on the psychological process of being mentally tough in competition. The link between ACT and MT also offers an avenue for MT development. Recommendations are made for incorporating these identified situations into regular training sessions following affective learning design principles.
Bu çalışmada spor tırmanışta rota zorluğunun zihinsel dayanıklılık ve durumluk kaygı üzerine etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma kontrol uygulaması içeren deneysel çalışma şeklinde tasarlanmıştır. Orta seviye tırmanış becerisine sahip 34 sporcu, çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Sporcuların beyan ettikleri tırmanış seviyeleri baz alındığında kolay ve zor olacak şekilde iki farklı rotaya tırmanmaları istenmiştir. Her bir tırmanış sonrasında sporcuların zihinsel dayanıklılık seviyesini belirlemek için Sheard, Golby ve Wersch (2009) tarafından geliştirilen ve Türkçe’ye uyarlaması Altıntaş (2015) tarafından yapılan sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Ölçeği (ZDÖ); durumluk kaygılarını belirlemek için ise Spielberger, Gorsuch ve Lushene (1968) tarafından geliştirilen ve geçerliliği Öner ve Le Compte (1985) tarafından yapılan Durumluk Kaygı Ölçeği (DKÖ) kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde bağımlı değişkenlerde eşleştirilmiş örnek t Test, bağımsız değişkenlerin analizinde ise iki grup olanlarda Bağımsız örneklem t Test ve ikiden fazla olan gruplarda tek yönlü Anova testi kullanılmıştır. İlişkilerin incelenmesinde ise korelasyon analizi yapılmıştır. Her iki rotada tırmanış öncesi ve sonrası durumluk kaygı seviyelerinde anlamlı bir değişim tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, zor rota tırmanışı öncesi kaygı seviyesi ile kolay rota tırmanışı öncesi kaygı seviyesi arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur. Kolay ve zor rotada tırmanış sonrası zihinsel dayanıklılık puanları arasında da anlamlı fark olduğu görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, rota zorluğunun orta seviye tırmanış yeteneğine sahip sporcularda durumluk kaygı düzeyine etki ettiği söylenebilir ancak zihinsel dayanıklılık üzerinde fark yaratacak bir etken olmadığı sonucuna varılmıştır.
Introduction. Modern sport is associated with high intensity during training and competitive activities, competition is intensified on the playing field and the social importance of sport is growing. Sports activity is characterized not merely by high physical strain, but also mental stress, mental instability, which affects the performance of the athlete, his psychological health in general, so mental stability plays a central role in sport. The purpose of the study is to identify the levels and differences of mental stability parameters in athletes in individual sport and athletes in team sport. Materials and Methods. The study involved 1545 elite athletes aged 14-17. Of these, 482 athletes are engaged in team sports and 1063 people are engaged in individual sports. As psychodiagnostic methods, the athletes were offered: a questionnaire for assessing neuropsychic stability “Prognoz-2” by V.Yu. Rybnikov and a questionnaire for assessing mental activity, interest, emotional tone, tension, comfort by L.A. Kurgansky and T.A. Nemchin. Statistical analysis was carried out using the H-Kruskal-Wallace test. Results. According to the results of the study, athletes involved in both individual sports and team sports have good mental stability. Reliably significant differences were found in the parameter “emotional tone” (p=0.007) and “tension” (p=0.0308). Indicators of the severity of mental activation, interest and comfort are within the normative values. Conclusion. Mental stability is understood by the authors as an innate dynamic property of a person, the ability of an athlete to resist stressful factors through their self-regulation, while maintaining performance, reliability in sports activities and health in general. Mental stability develops and changes throughout life.
Bu çalışmanın amacı; triatlon sporcuların da zihinsel dayanıklılık ile öz yeterlik düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Araştırmanın evrenini, 2022 Gelibolu uzun mesafe triatlon Türkiye şampiyonasına katılan 450 triatlon sporcusu oluşturmuştur. Örneklem grubunu ise ilgili şampiyonaya katılan 38’i kadın, 171’i erkek olmak üzere toplam 209 sporcu olmuştur. Bu araştırmada, araştırmanın amacı doğrultusunda, araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan kişisel bilgi formu ve literatürde bulunan öz yeterlilik ölçeği ve sporda zihinsel dayanıklılık ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen veriler bilgisayar ortamında analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın sürekli değişkenleri arasında Pearson korelasyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, çalışmaya katılan triatlon sporcularının zihinsel dayanıklılık ve öz yeterliklerinin orta düzeyde olduğu görülmüştür. Zihinsel dayanıklılık toplam, zihinsel dayanıklılığa ait güven ve devamlılık alt boyutları ile öz yeterlik arasında orta düzeyde, kontrol alt boyutuyla öz yeterlik arasında pozitif yönde düşük düzeyde ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Bu durumun, öz yeterlik düzeyi yüksek olan sporcuların başarı elde etme öz güveni içerisinde zorluklarla başa çıkma adına kendilerine gerekçe oluşturmalarından kaynaklandığı düşünülmektedir.
Amaç: Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi Özel Yetenek Sınavına (ÖYS) katılan sporcu-öğrencilerin zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri ile parkur performansları arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymak ve zihinsel dayanıklılığı cinsiyet, yaş, spor yılı ve başvurulan bölüm değişkenlerine göre incelemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Materyal ve Metot: Araştırma betimsel (tarama) ve ilişkisel (korelasyonel, nedensel karşılaştırma) deseniyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2021-2022 eğitim-öğretim yılında Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi (KAEÜ) Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi ÖYS ye katılan, tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemine göre belirlenmiş 18-25 yaş aralığında 494 sporcu-öğrenci (nKadın=107; nErkek=387) oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri (SZDE), kişisel bilgi formu ve ÖYS koordinasyon parkuru skorları kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde korelasyon analizi, bağımsız örneklemlerde t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizinden yararlanılmıştır. Bulgular: Analiz sonuçlarına göre katılımcıların ÖYS parkur skorlarıyla Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri (SZDE) güven alt boyutu arasında negatif yönlü anlamlı ilişki bulunmuş, SZDE total ve diğer alt boyutlar arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Bunun yanında erkek sporcu-öğrencilerin kadın sporcu-öğrencilere nazaran SZDE total ve alt boyut ortalama puanlarının anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Katılımcıların SZDE total ve alt boyut ortalama puanları ile yaşları arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Bununla birlikte sporcu-öğrencilerin spor yaşıyla SZDE total, güven ve devamlılık alt boyutları arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuş, kontrol alt boyutunda anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Bölüm değişkenine göre, Antrenörlük Eğitimi Bölümü ve Spor Yöneticiliği Bölümüne başvuran sporcu-öğrencilerin SZDE total ve devamlılık alt boyutu skorları arasında Antrenörlük Eğitimi Bölümüne başvuranların lehine anlamlı fark saptanmış, güven ve kontrol alt boyutlarında anlamlı fark saptanmamıştır. Sonuç: Zihinsel dayanıklılık (güven) düzeyleri artarken parkur performansları iyileşmektedir. Bunun yanında, zihinsel dayanıklılık yaş ile ilişkili değilken spor yaşıyla ilişkilidir. Ayrıca, erkek katılımcıların zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri kadınlardan yüksektir. Bunlara ilaveten Antrenörlük Eğitimi Bölümüne başvuran sporcu-öğrencilerin zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri Yöneticilik Bölümüne başvuranlardan yüksektir. Araştırma sonuçları 2021-2022 eğitim-öğretim yılı KAEÜ Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi ÖYS ile sınırlıdır ve elde edilen sonuçlar bu çerçevede genellenebilir.
The Goal-Expectancy-Self-Control (GES) model provides a novel framework to study mental toughness in sport. This model proposes that mental toughness is a state-like multidimensional concept comprising three resources – challenging goals, self-efficacy, and self-control – that operate when athletes encounter a stressor that puts their goal achievement at risk. These resources are proposed to lead to optimal performance through four psychological mechanisms. These include attention, effort, perseverance, and strategies. The purpose of this research was to test this model in endurance sports within the confines of two studies (cross-sectional and experimental). Our samples consisted of 649 runners (Study 1) and 74 trained cyclists (Study 2). Overall, results support the GES model. Taken together, results indicate that mental toughness resources are positively related to endurance performance through the four psychological mechanisms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of mental toughness, as well as underline the importance for athletes to learn how to set challenging goals, attain and sustain high self-control and self-efficacy levels to optimally deploy their psychological mechanisms and reach their goals. Applied implications for athletes, coaches, and mental performance consultants are discussed.
El abordaje desde la investigación-acción (IA) destaca la presencia terapéutica y mediadora de la actividad física recreativa en situaciones de violencia física y simbólica en un grupo de artistas. El grupo de trabajo estuvo conformado por 26 personas, con una media de edad de 23 años (el menor, 17 años, y el mayor, 42). La investigación-acción estuvo diseñada en cuatro fases: diagnóstico, diseño, implementación y evaluación. El registro de las experiencias fue referido en diario de campo, así como, en el índice de fortaleza mental (MTI). Entre los hallazgos no concluyentes, se debe seguir explorando estímulos de actividad física recreativa, con niveles de intensidad de moderados a vigorosos, ante la rigidez de cuerpos frente al performance del oficio y la continua violencia física y simbólica. A nivel de mediación, la actividad física recreativa permite el manejo de dificultades emocionales —mediante el uso del cuerpo— para condicionar la convivencia y la elevación de la frecuencia cardiaca.
“Espora Multidisipliner Yaklaşımlar” başlıklı kitabımızın hazırlanış amacı espor hakkında
farklı çalışma alanlarındaki akademisyenlerin ve uzmanların bilgi ve birikimlerini bilimsel
çalışmalara dayanarak aktardığı ve esporun tüm yönleri ile ele alındığı multidisipliner bir
akademik kaynak oluşturulmasıdır.
Bu kitabın içeriği öncelikle espor alanında çalışma yapmak isteyen bilim insanlarının
farklı alanlardaki bilgilere tek bir kaynaktan ulaşmasını sağlamaktadır. Buna ek olarak esporcu ya da espor koçu olmak isteyen gençlerin nasıl bir yol izlemesi gerektiği, espor ile ilgilenen ergenlerin/gençlerin ebeveynlerinin psikolojik, fizyolojik ve sağlık açısından nelere dikkat etmesi gerektiği ve bu sektöre yatırım yapacak ya da organizasyonlar düzenleyebilecek kişilerin okuyarak yararlanabileceği temel bilgiler oluşturmaktır.
Aynı zamanda artık üniversitelerde açılan Espor dersinin ders içeriklerini de kapsaması nedeniyle üniversite hocalarının ve öğrencilerinin yararlanabileceği bir ders materyali olacaktır.
Bu kitabın içeriği espor alanında Etik, Yönetim, Psikoloji, Fizyoloji ve Sağlık, Teknik-Taktik gibi temel konuların değinildiği 15 ana başlıktan oluşmaktadır. Bunlara ek olarak kitabımızın sonunda günümüzde en popüler olan iki oyunun oyuncu rehberleri eklenmiştir.
Objectives: Despite the potential link between mental skills and athletic performance, little is done to examine handball players’ present level of mental skills concerning their performance. To begin with, the study has three folded aims; the first one is to examine the factor structure of Bull’s Mental Skills Questionnaire, which was developed in the United Kingdom to measure selected mental skill, of Serbian athlete population. The second aim is to determine gender differences in those mental skills, and the third aim is to determine differences between the playing positions in the mental skills of handball players to create a mental profile of Serbian handball players.
Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 170 handball players, aged 14 to 39, who have played handball at the semi-elite, competitive-elite, and successful-elite level. The modified exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the latent dimensions of the Bull’s Mental Skills Questionnaire. For examining gender differences in the manifestation of mental skills Mann–Whitney U test was used.
Results: Compared to the original structure of the questionnaire, which singles out seven factors of mental skills (imagery ability, mental preparation, self-confidence, anxiety and worry management, concentration ability, relaxation ability, and motivation), five factors were singled out in the sample of Serbian male and female handball players (anxiety and concentration management—α = 0.74; self-confidence—α = 0.75; relaxation ability—α = 0.66; mental preparation—α = 0.68, and imagery ability—α = 0.66). With these five subscales as dependent variables, results of the Mann–Whitney U test show that there are significant gender differences in variable anxiety and concentration management (U = 2893.5, p = 0.049) and relaxation ability (U = 2833.0, p = 0.031). Female handball players score higher on anxiety and concentration management and lower on relaxation ability. When playing positions are in question, results of Kruskal–Wallis‘s one-way analysis of variance, i.e., Mann–Whitney’s post hoc analysis, suggest that statistically significant differences were observed between wings and center backs and wings and goalkeepers in the imagery ability.
Conclusion: The Bull’s Mental Skills Questionnaire in Serbian sample of handball players show satisfactory psychometric characteristics but has singled out five factors of mental skills compared to the original questionnaire.
El objetivo general de este estudio es establecer un modelo predictivo de la fortaleza mental y el capital psicológico positivo respecto del estrés percibido en trabajadores de una organización pública en la comuna de Copiapó. Se empleó para esto un diseño de investigación de tipo correlacional-causal y el muestreo fue de tipo no probabilístico y conformado por 80 trabajadores. Se utilizaron los siguientes instrumentos para el levantamiento de información: MTQ-10 (cuestionario de fortaleza mental), PCQ-12 (cuestionario de capital psicológico) y EEP-14 (escala de estrés percibido). Se llevaron a cabo comparaciones entre edad, sexo, nivel educacional, estado civil y modalidad de trabajo con las variables antes mencionadas. Se evidenció que 16,2% de trabajadores presentaba índices significativos de estrés. Asimismo, se constató que la fortaleza mental y el capital psicológico positivo permitirían predecir el estrés percibido de los trabajadores, evidenciándose también una relación positiva entre los predictores. Se concluye que a mayor desarrollo de estos recursos personales menor va a ser el impacto de las fuentes de estrés.
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.
Mental toughness is the ability to handle pressure, adversity, and stress by overcoming failures. It is also the state of persisting without refusing to quit, with the possession of superiority in mental skills. This review aimed to describe the effect of mental toughness on the performance of athletes and also to have an insight into the various interventions to improve mental toughness. For this, PubMed was searched using the appropriate keywords till December 2021 and a narrative synthesis was performed. Mental tightness was evident to be correlated with many important aspects such as better performance, goal progress, withholding stress, coping, optimism and self-reflection. It also helps in a better level of confidence, constancy, control, positive cognition, visualization and challenges than the opponent team. Many interventional strategies have been adopted in previous years which mainly focused on personalized programs including psychological skills training, coping and optimism training, mindfulness, yoga, general relaxation, imagery, and a combination of both, and many more other aspects were observed to be effective in improving mental toughness. However, physical training alone did not observe to be beneficial. The current evidence indicates the important role of mental toughness on the sports performance of athletics and the role of various interventional strategies focusing on mindfulness and psychological interventions in improving mental toughness. All these interventional strategies need to be implemented in the actual practice.
Bu araştırmanın amacı, zihinsel dayanıklılık konusunda yayımlanmış olan lisansüstü tezlerin içerik analizini çeşitli ölçütler dâhilinde yaparak konu ile ilgili gerçekleştirilen çalışmaların genel özelliklerini ve araştırma eğilimlerini ortaya koymaktır. İçerik analizi tekniğinin tercih edildiği bu çalışma kapsamında Yükseköğretim Kurulu Başkanlığı, Ulusal Tez Merkezi veri tabanına kayıtlı toplam 46 ulusal lisansüstü teze erişim sağlanmıştır. Tezler; tez türü, yayım yılı, yayımlandığı üniversite ve anabilim dalı; kullanılan araştırma yöntemi, deseni, envanter ve zihinsel dayanıklılık ile ilişkilendirilen kavramlar şeklinde belirlenen ölçütler dâhilinde incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonrasında zihinsel dayanıklılık konusunda yayımlanan tezlerin toplamda 29 farklı üniversite bünyesinde ve genellikle (%35) Beden Eğitimi ve Spor anabilim dalında hazırlandığı tespit edilmiştir. En fazla sayıda tezin 2019 yılında yayımlandığını işaret eden araştırma bulguları, bu tezlerde büyük ölçüde nicel araştırma yönteminde (%94) ilişkisel tarama deseninin (%62) tercih edildiğini, ayrıca yine yüksek oranda (%91) veri toplama aracı olarak Sheard, Golby ve Wersch (2009) tarafından geliştirilen ‘Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık’ envanterinin kullanıldığını göstermektedir. Son olarak, zihinsel dayanıklılık konulu çalışmaların ilişkilendirildiği kavramlar incelendiğinde ‘duygusal zekâ’ kavramının yüksek oranda (%18,7) tercih edilmiş olması bu çalışmanın bir diğer bulgusudur. Sonuç olarak, zihinsel dayanıklılık konulu lisansüstü tezlerde pozitivist paradigma geleneğinin baskın olduğu ve bu yaklaşımda nicel araştırma yöntemlerinin sıklıkla tercih edildiği söylenebilir.
The purpose of this chapter is to review the conception and diagnosis of mental health. Research is reviewed that shows that there are grave reasons for concern about the mental health of adults in the US. Fewer than one quarter adults aged 25-74 yrs fit the criteria for
flourishing in life, which is defined as a state in which an individual feels positive emotion toward life and is functioning well psychologically and socially. The absence of mental health--a condition described as
languishing--is more prevalent than major depressive disorder. Languishing is defined as as state in which an individual is devoid of positive emotion toward life, and is not functioning well either psychologically or socially, and has not been depressed during the past year. In short, languishers are neither mentally ill nor mentally healthy. In sum, there are compelling reasons that positive psychologists cannot overlook mental illness. However, languishing--a silent, debilitating epidemic in the US--indicates that there are equally compelling reasons that behavioral and social scientists can no longer ignore the concept of mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24: 385–396, 1983) and its derivatives are among the most commonly used self-report measures of subjective global stress. Several factorial models of the PSS have been proposed; however, which of these structures reliably measures individuals with mental illness remains unclear. Moreover, despite the detection of gender differences in perceived stress, factorial invariance between genders has not yet been tested with the PSS. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluating six prevailing factorial models of the PSS among a large sample of psychiatric patients and a matched community sample supported a two-factor model. Multiple group analysis established configural, metric and scalar invariance of this model across gender, but only configural invariance across samples differing by mental health status. Implications are that gender differences can be cautiously interpreted as true mean differences rather than artifacts of measurement bias; however, mean perceived stress factor scores should not be compared directly across psychiatric and non-psychiatric samples.
‘Academic resilience’ refers to a student’s capacity to overcome acute or chronic adversities that are seen as major assaults on educational processes. Although intersecting with highly vulnerable and important populations, academic resilience does not map onto the many students who are faced with setbacks, challenges and pressures that are part of more regular academic life. This, it is argued, reflects ‘academic buoyancy’ that maps onto the many students who must negotiate the ups and downs of everyday academic life as distinct from acute and chronic adversities relevant to more traditional constructions of academic resilience. Inherent in this argument, then, is a proposed hierarchical framework in which academic buoyancy is a necessary but not sufficient condition for academic resilience. Such a hierarchical framework, therefore, has the potential to speak to all students and so represents an encompassing framework that can more fully explain the nature and extent of adversities and challenges that are part of academic life. We further contend that academic resilience and academic buoyancy require multidimensional approaches to their conceptualising and measurement in order to most effectively differentiate the factors that are (and are not) components, causes, correlates and cognate to them. We conclude by proposing a number of conceptual and empirical approaches to a next generation of research into academic resilience and academic buoyancy, develop the notion of ‘leading’ and ‘lagging’ indicators of buoyancy and resilience, and identify the implications of our framework for intervention and policy in the academic domain and beyond.
This simulation study compared maximum likelihood (ML) estimation with weighted least squares means and variance adjusted (WLSMV) estimation. The study was based on confirmatory factor analyses with 1, 2, 4, and 8 factors, based on 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 cases, and on 5, 10, 20, and 40 variables with 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 categories. There was no model misspecification. The most important results were that with 2 and 3 categories the rejection rates of the WLSMV chi-square test corresponded much more to the expected rejection rates according to an alpha level of. 05 than the rejection rates of the ML chi-square test. The magnitude of the loadings was more precisely estimated by means of WLSMV when the variables had only 2 or 3 categories. The sample size for WLSMV estimation needed not to be larger than the sample size for ML estimation.
hriving describes an individual's experience of vitality and learning. The primary goal of this paper is to develop a model that illuminates the social embeddedness of employees' thriving at work. First, we explain why thriving is a useful theoretical construct, define thriving, and compare it to related constructs, including resilience, flourishing, subjective well-being, flow, and self-actualization. Second, we describe how work contexts facilitate agentic work behaviors, which in turn produce resources in the doing of work and serve as the engine of thriving. Third, we describe how thriving serves as a gauge to facilitate self-adaptation at work. We conclude by highlighting key theoretical contributions of the model and suggesting directions for future research.
This study of voluntary turnover was conducted on Canadian Forces (CF) recruits (N = 459) undergoing basic military training. In response to growing voluntary attrition concerns, a model of early voluntary turnover was tested. The model included pre-entry individual characteristics (pre-entry normative commitment, desire for military career, and mental toughness), postentry work attitudes and intentions (normative CF commitment, affective commitment, and turnover intentions), and actual turnover behavior. Ten of the 13 specified paths were supported, and the model yielded an overall good fit, providing empirical evidence for the influence of pre-entry characteristics on the development of commitment and subsequent turnover.
Buoyancy is individuals' ability to successfully deal with setbacks and challenges that are typical of everyday life-an "everyday resilience." From a construct validity perspective, then, the present study conducts a psychometric scoping of buoyancy in the school setting. The study comprised 3,450 high school students and 637 school personnel administered the Buoyancy Scale, along with the Motivation and Engagement Scale and cognate measures. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized factor structure of the Buoyancy Scale for personnel and students and invariance in factor loadings suggested similarity in constructs across samples. Reliability and distribution properties were also consistent across samples. Structural equation modeling showed males to be more buoyant in both samples, but opposite age effects were found with higher bouyancy amongst younger respondents in the student sample and older respondents in the workplace sample. Findings demonstrated broad congruency across samples in key relationships between buoyancy and hypothesized correlates.
The purposes of the current study were to identify mental toughness profiles in adolescent cricketers and examine differences between these profiles on developmental
assets and negative emotional states. A sample of 226 community cricketers (125
New Zealanders and 101 Australians; male n = 210) aged between 10 and 18 years
(Mage = 14.41 years; SD = 2.11) completed a multisection, online survey containing
measures of mental toughness, developmental assets, and negative emotional states.
The results of hierarchical (Ward’s method) and nonhierarchical (k means) cluster
analyses revealed three mental toughness profiles characterized by low, moderate,
and high levels of all five mental toughness assets (i.e., affective intelligence,
desire to achieve, self-belief, attentional control, resilience). Those cricketers with
high levels of mental toughness reported possession of more developmental assets
and lower levels of negative emotional states when compared with cricketers with
the moderate levels of mental toughness. No statistically significant differences
existed between the moderate and low levels of mental toughness profiles. These
findings provided preliminary evidence to suggest that mental toughness might
be viewed not only from the traditional view of optimal performance but also
from a stance that may represent a contextually salient representation of thriving
in youth sport settings.
OBJECTIVES: Four studies were conducted with two primary objectives: (i) to conceptualize and measure mental toughness from a behavioral perspective; and (ii) to apply relevant personality theory to the examination of between-person differences in mentally tough behavior. METHOD: Studies 1 (n = 305) and 2 (n = 110) focused on the development of an informant-rated mental toughness questionnaire that assessed individual differences in ability to maintain or enhance performance under pressure from a wide range of stressors. Studies 3 (n = 214) and 4 (n = 196) examined the relationship between reinforcement sensitivities and mentally tough behavior. RESULTS: The highest levels of mental toughness reported by coaches occurred when performers were sensitive to punishment and insensitive to reward. Study 4 suggested that such performers are predisposed to identify threatening stimuli early which gives them the best possible opportunity to prepare an effective response to the pressurized environments they encounter. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that high level cricketers who are punishment sensitive, but not reward sensitive, detect threat early and can maintain goal directed behavior under pressure from a range of different stressors.
This article argues that theory building in the social sciences, management and psychology included, should be inductive. It begins by critiquing contemporary philosophy of science, for example, Popper's falsifiability theory, his stress on deduction, and the hypothetico—deductive method. Next, the author presents some history on the concept of induction in philosophy and of inductive theory building in the hard sciences (e.g., Aristotle, Bacon, Newton). This is followed by three examples of successful theory building by induction in psychology and management (Beck's theory, Bandura's social—cognitive theory, goal setting theory). The article concludes with some suggested guidelines for successful theory building through induction and some new policies that journal editors might encourage.
Psychology has increasingly turned to the study of psychosocial resources in the examination of well-being. How resources are being studied and resource models that have been proffered are considered, and an attempt is made to examine elements that bridge across models. As resource models span health, community, cognitive, and clinical psychology, the question is raised of whether there is overuse of the resource metaphor or whether there exists some underlying principles that can be gleaned and incorporated to advance research. The contribution of resources for understanding multicultural and pan-historical adaptation in the face of challenge is considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This article addresses distinctions underlying concepts of resilience and thriving and issues in conceptualizing thriving. Thriving (physical or psychological) may reflect decreased reactivity to subsequent stressors, faster recovery from subsequent stressors, or a consistently higher level of functioning. Psychological thriving may reflect gains in skill, knowledge, confidence, or a sense of security in personal relationships. Psychological thriving resembles other instances of growth. It probably does not depend on the occurrence of a discrete traumatic event or longer term trauma, though such events may elicit it. An important question is why some people thrive, whereas others are impaired, given the same event. A potential answer rests on the idea that differences in confidence and mastery are self-perpetuating and self-intensifying. This idea suggests a number of variables whose role in thriving is worth closer study, including personality variables such as optimism, contextual variables such as social support, and situational variables such as the coping reactions elicited by the adverse event.
Psychology has increasingly turned to the study of psychosocial resources in the examination of well-being. How resources are being studied and resource models that have been proffered are considered, and an attempt is made to examine elements that bridge across models. As resource models span health, community, cognitive, and clinical psychology, the question is raised of whether there is overuse of the resource metaphor or whether there exists some underlying principles that can be gleaned and incorporated to advance research. The contribution of resources for understanding multicultural and pan-historical adaptation in the face of challenge is considered.
In this article, we provide guidance for substantive researchers on the use of structural equation modeling in practice for theory testing and development. We present a comprehensive, two-step modeling approach that employs a series of nested models and sequential chi-square difference tests. We discuss the comparative advantages of this approach over a one-step approach. Considerations in specification, assessment of fit, and respecification of measurement models using confirmatory factor analysis are reviewed. As background to the two-step approach, the distinction between exploratory and confirmatory analysis, the distinction between complementary approaches for theory testing versus predictive application, and some developments in estimation methods also are discussed.
Interest in the problem of method biases has a long history in the behavioral sciences. Despite this, a comprehensive summary of the potential sources of method biases and how to control for them does not exist. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which method biases influence behavioral research results, identify potential sources of method biases, discuss the cognitive processes through which method biases influence responses to measures, evaluate the many different procedural and statistical techniques that can be used to control method biases, and provide recommendations for how to select appropriate procedural and statistical remedies for different types of research settings.
Reviews the book, Structural Modeling by Example: Applications in Educational, Sociological, and Behavioral Research edited by Peter Cuttance and Russell Ecob (see record 1988-98021-000 ). The objective of this book is to provide extensive examples of how a number of contributors worked through an applied problem. If the objective of this book is to illustrate to what type of substantive problems structural equation models can be applied and to illustrate the strategy that the different contributors followed in their application, the objective has been reached. That the examples "provide the reader with the rationale for, and a view of, the operational decisions that have to be made as the researcher works through an applied problem" is less convincing: Some of the strategies adopted might not be the most appropriate. For example, in the chapters by Wolfle and by Hauser and Mossel, the analysis begins with estimating, fitting, and testing a structural model for observed variables; it is then reestimated as a structural model for latent variables to assess the effect of measurement error on the estimated structural coefficients. This is interesting, but it would be more logical to assess the measurement situation as a first step in the analysis and then to integrate the measurement model in the structural model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
The purpose of this study was to assess the factorial validity of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire-48 (Clough, Earle, & Sewell, 2002). In total, 8207 participants (male n = 4019, female n = 3922, unspecified = 266) aged between 16 and 68 years (M = 37.00, SD = 12.09) completed the MTQ48. Model fit was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling, in addition to the robust maximum likelihood estimator. Overall, our results support the factorial validity of the MTQ48 and indicate that the MTQ48 is a robust psychometric measure of mental toughness. Along with previous data, which supports the internal validity of the MTQ48 in addition to results of this study, it would appear that the MTQ48 is an acceptable method of assessing mental toughness.
In this article, we provide guidance for substantive researchers on the use of structural equation modeling in practice for theory testing and development. We present a comprehensive, two-step modeling approach that employs a series of nested models and sequential chi-square difference tests. We discuss the comparative advantages of this approach over a one-step approach. Considerations in specification, assessment of fit, and respecification of measurement models using confirmatory factor analysis are reviewed. As background to the two-step approach, the distinction between exploratory and confirmatory analysis, the distinction between complementary approaches for theory testing versus predictive application, and some developments in estimation methods also are discussed.
A structural equation model is described that permits estimation of the reliability index and coefficient of a composite test for congeneric measures. The method is also helpful in exploring the factorial structure of an item set, and its use in scale reliability estimation and development is illustrated. The modeling. estimator of composite reliability it yields does not possess the general underestimation property of Cronbach's coefficient a.
Previous organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) research (a) has not demonstrated that extra-role behaviors can be distinguished empirically from in-role activities, and (b) has not examined the relative contributions of components ofjob satisfaction a nd organizational commitment to the performance of OCBs. Factor analysis of survey data from 127 employees' supervisors supported the distinction between in-role behaviors and two forms of OCBs. Hierarchical regression analysis found two job cognitions variables (intrinsic and extrinsic) to be differentially related to the two types OCBs, but affective variables and organizational commitment were not significant predictors. The link between the present findings and previous research is discussed, as are directions forfuture research.
We evaluated whether "more is ever too much" for the number of indicators (p) per factor (p/f) in confirmatory factor analysis by varying sample size (N = 50-1000) and p/f (2-12 items per factor) in 35,000 Monte Carlo solutions. For all N's, solution behavior steadily improved (more proper solutions, more accurate parameter estimates, greater reliability) with increasing p/f. There was a compensatory relation between N and p/f: large p/f compensated for small N and large N compensated for small p/f, but large-N and large-p/f was best. A bias in the behavior of the χ2 was also demonstrated where apparent goodness of fit declined with increasing p/f ratios even though approximating models were "true". Fit was similar for proper and improper solutions, as were parameter estimates form improper solutions not involving offending estimates. We also used the 12-p/f data to construct 2, 3, 4, or 6 parcels of items (e.g., two parcels of 6 items per factor, three parcels of 4 items per factor, etc.), but the 12-indicator (nonparceled) solutions were somewhat better behaved. At least for conditions in our simulation study, traditional "rules" implying fewer indicators should be used for smaller N may be inappropriate and researchers should consider using more indicators per factor that is evident in current practice.
The history of research on achievement striving has been characterized by the development of several separate lines of inquiry in relative isolation, one from the other. Three themes are most notable: research on need achievement (motivation), formulations of test anxiety (emotion), and the exploration of information-processing (cognitive) factors with special attention given to the organization of effective study skills. In the absence of a unified approach to an understanding of achievement behavior, research has been largely confined to attempts to establish simple one-to-one correspondences between various organizing constructs, say, test anxiety, and the achievement outcomes they are thought to influence. For instance, a veritable flood of studies beginning at the turn of the century has demonstrated the existence of a negative relationship between level of anxiety arousal and performance across a variety of testing and assessment conditions (for a review, see Heinrich & Spielberger, 1982). Likewise, individual variations in level of need achievement (nAch) have been associated with preferences for risk taking and study persistence (Atkinson, 1957, 1964).
This article delineates parallel frameworks that grew out of the research on risk and resilience over the past four decades, a framework for research and a framework for practice, and then discusses the promise of an emerging synthesis. The research framework defined the meaning, models, and methods that successfully guided four waves of research to date on the nature and processes involved in human resilience. The applied framework emerged in response to urgent needs of children and families faced by adversity and those charged with helping them, resulting in guidelines for translating the unfolding but incomplete research evidence into action. The application of a resilience approach transformed practice in many fields concerned with promoting resilience in people at risk for problems, revolutionizing the mission, models, measures, and methods of practice to align with the emphasis on positive adaptation and strengths defining a resilience-based approach. Yet these interventions rarely translated back to inform and refine resilience theory in ways that would accelerate progress to promote resilience more effectively. The concluding section on translational synergy discusses the potential for a synthesis of basic and applied resilience frameworks as the next steps toward realizing the original objective and promise of resilience science.
The concept of change over time is fundamental to many phenomena investigated in organizational research. This didactically oriented article proposes an integrative approach incorporating longitudinal mean and covariance structures analysis and multiple indicator latent growth modeling to aid organizational researchers in directly addressing fundamental questions concerning the conceptualization and analysis of change over time. The approach is illustrated using a numerical example involving several organizationally relevant variables. Advantages, limitations, and extensions of the approach are discussed.
This article is concerned with measures of fit of a model. Two types of error involved in fitting a model are considered. The first is error of approximation which involves the fit of the model, with optimally chosen but unknown parameter values, to the population covariance matrix. The second is overall error which involves the fit of the model, with parameter values estimated from the sample, to the population covariance matrix. Measures of the two types of error are proposed and point and interval estimates of the measures are suggested. These measures take the number of parameters in the model into account in order to avoid penalizing parsimonious models. Practical difficulties associated with the usual tests of exact fit or a model are discussed and a test of “close fit” of a model is suggested.
A set of ground rules and vocabulary to facilitate focused discussion about the structure of organization and management theories are proposed. The many previous efforts at defining and evaluating theory help establish criteria for theory construction and evaluation. In the establishment of these criteria, description is distinguished from theory, and a matrix of criteria for evaluating the variables, constructs, and relationships that together compose a theory is developed. The proposed matrix may be useful both for defining the necessary components of good theory and for evaluating and/or comparing the quality of alternative theories. Finally, a discussion of the way theories fit together to give a somewhat broader picture of empirical reality reveals the lines of tension between the two main criteria for evaluating theory.
Understanding communication processes is the goal of most communication researchers. Rarely are we satisfied merely ascertaining whether messages have an effect on some outcome of focus in a specific context. Instead, we seek to understand how such effects come to be. What kinds of causal sequences does exposure to a message initiate? What are the causal pathways through which a message exerts its effect? And what role does communication play in the transmission of the effects of other variables over time and space? Numerous communication models attempt to describe the mechanism through which messages or other communication-related variables transmit their effects or intervene between two other variables in a causal model. The communication literature is replete with tests of such models. Over the years, methods used to test such process models have grown in sophistication. An example includes the rise of structural equation modeling (SEM), which allows investigators to examine how well a process model that links some focal variable X to some outcome Y through one or more intervening pathways fits the observed data. Yet frequently, the analytical choices communication researchers make when testing intervening variables models are out of step with advances made in the statistical methods literature. My goal here is to update the field on some of these new advances. While at it, I challenge some conventional wisdom and nudge the field toward a more modern way of thinking about the analysis of intervening variable effects.
Scales with varying degrees of measurement reliability are often used in the context of multistage sampling, where variance exists at multiple levels of analysis (e.g., individual and group). Because methodological guidance on assessing and reporting reliability at multiple levels of analysis is currently lacking, we discuss the importance of examining level-specific reliability. We present a simulation study and an applied example showing different methods for estimating multilevel reliability using multilevel confirmatory factor analysis and provide supporting Mplus program code. We conclude that (a) single-level estimates will not reflect a scale's actual reliability unless reliability is identical at each level of analysis, (b) 2-level alpha and composite reliability (omega) perform relatively well in most settings, (c) estimates of maximal reliability (H) were more biased when estimated using multilevel data than either alpha or omega, and (d) small cluster size can lead to overestimates of reliability at the between level of analysis. We also show that Monte Carlo confidence intervals and Bayesian credible intervals closely reflect the sampling distribution of reliability estimates under most conditions. We discuss the estimation of credible intervals using Mplus and provide R code for computing Monte Carlo confidence intervals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
The literature on mental toughness is characterized by a general lack of conceptual clarity and consensus as to its definition, as well as a general failure to operationalize the construct in a consistent manner. This study addressed two fundamental issues surrounding mental toughness: how can it be defined? and what are the essential attributes required to be a mentally tough performer? Ten international performers participated in either a focus group or one-toone interviews, from which a definition of mental toughness and the attributes of the ideal mentally tough performer emerged. The resulting definition emphasized both general and specific dimensions, while the 12 attributes covered self-belief, desire/motivation, dealing with pressure and anxiety, focus (performance-related), focus (lifestyle-related), and pain/hardship factors.
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to test the measurement properties of the psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ) and the authentic leadership questionnaire (ALQ). Both scales' properties are tested in a diverse sample of working adults, compared across genders, and assessed for their performance in a new national culture.
Design/methodology/approach
– This paper uses survey data from a random, nationally representative sample of working New Zealand adults. Structural equation modeling is used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis and to test for measurement invariance in both scales.
Findings
– The results confirm the hypothesized second‐order factor structure of both scales, with psychometric properties comparable to those in samples from other cultures. The results further suggest that the PCQ and ALQ exhibit measure equivalence for men and women.
Originality/value
– This paper provides the first test of both scales in a diverse representative sample. It demonstrates that the PCQ and ALQ are useful for diverse samples and equally valid for both genders, as well as performing as expected in other cultures.
(Publisher-supplied data) The classic text is Psychometric Theory. Like the previous edition, this text is designed as a comprehensive text in measurement for researchers and for use in graduate courses in psychology, education and areas of business such as management and marketing. It is intended to consider the broad measurement problems that arise in these areas and is written for a reader who needs only a basic background in statistics to comprehend the material. It also combines classical procedures that explain variance with modern inferential procedures.
Mood is distinguished from emotion, and mood regulation is distinguished from coping. A model of mood regulation is presented which draws on principles of control theory, which distinguishes between maximizing pleasure and minimizing psychic pain, and which emphasizes individual differences in several component subprocesses. A preliminary taxonomy of strategies and behaviors for remediating unpleasant affect is presented. Important topics for future research are discussed, including the assessment of successfulness of mood-regulation strategies, affective specificity in strategies (e.g., what works for anger might not work so well for sadness), and person specificity in strategies (e.g., socializing or helping others may be more effective strategies for extraverts than introverts). The relationship of mood regulation to overall life satisfaction and global happiness is discussed.