J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2015 Jul 24; Epub 2015 Jul 24.
The mediating role of mental toughness in sport.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness
A Nicholls, J Perry, L Jones, C Sanctuary, F Carson, P J Clough
PMID: 26211530
Abstract
AIM: We conducted two studies that examined different models, which included mental toughness and psychological constructs that have been found to be related to this construct.
METHODS: In Study 1, 531 athletes completed measures of mental toughness, resilience, and emotional intelligence. In Study 2, 522 athletes completed measures of mental toughness, sport motivation, and self-efficacy.
RESULTS: There were positive paths between the constructs in the model, which were mediated by mental toughness in Study 1. Further, there was a positive path between mental toughness and self-efficacy, but negative paths with introjected regulation and amotivation in Study 2.
CONCLUSION: This two study paper suggests that it might also be the presence of constructs such as resilience, emotional intelligence, motivation, and/or self-efficacy that enable mentally tough individuals to excel under stressful circumstances rather than just coping.
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