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Gucciardi, Daniel F. "Mental toughness in Australian football." University of Western Australia. School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0007.
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[Truncated abstract] At the commencement of this research project in February 2005, there was a paucity of empirical investigations that focused on understanding the psychological construct of mental toughness in sport (Bull, Shambrook, James, & Brooks, 2005; Fourie & Potgieter, 2001; Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2002). Although impressive, the available literature did little in offering consensus in terms of a definition and operationalising the construct in a consistent manner as well as understanding those factors contributing to its measurement and development. The absence of theoretically guided research, in particular, was noted as a major limitation of this research. The potential significance of mental toughness for performance excellence combined with the conceptual confusion and lack of rigorous empirical research highlighted the need for further research on mental toughness in sport. Accordingly, the purpose of this thesis was to examine issues pertaining to the understanding, measurement, and development of mental toughness in sport, using personal construct psychology (Kelly, 1955/1991) as the guiding theoretical framework. Australian football was chosen as the context to explore these issues. In the opening empirical chapter, two qualitative manuscripts in which Australian football coaches perspectives on mental toughness and those factors contributing to its development are reported. Three central themes for understanding mental toughness in Australian football were generated: characteristics (self-belief, motivation, tough attitude, concentration and focus, resilience, handling pressure, personal values, emotional intelligence, sport intelligence, and physical toughness); situations (e.g., injuries, success); and behaviours (e.g., superior decision-makers, consistent performance). '...' In the final empirical chapter, two manuscripts in which the effectiveness of two different psychological skills training programs in enhancing mental toughness among youth-aged (15's) Australian footballers are reported. The first presents a quantitative analysis while the second presents a qualitative analysis. Multisource ratings (self, parent, and coach) of the AfMTI and self-reported resilience and flow indicated more positive changes in mental toughness, resilience, and flow than the control group. Similar patterns in the findings were evident across rating sources. Interviews with several players and one of their parents as well as the coaches generated their perceptions on the benefits of participating in the program (e.g., increased work ethic, tougher attitudes) and the processes by which the program had an effect (e.g., self-awareness; self-monitoring; self-regulation; and multi-perspective discussions) as well as suggestions for program improvement (e.g., parent and coach education programs). In summary, the results of the five studies presented in this thesis provide a comprehensive account of issues pertaining to the understanding, measurement, and development of mental toughness in Australian football. The findings are supportive of several aspects of previous research but also extend this line of inquiry in a number of ways. It is my hope that other researchers will be stimulated to engage in further research extending what is presented here and that practitioners will use this information to inform their professional endeavours.
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Middleton, Simon C. "Mental toughness conceptualisation and measurement /." View thesis, 2007. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/18959.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2007.A thesis submitted to the University of Western Sydney, School of Psychology, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology). Includes bibliography.
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Flannery, Nicholas M. "Development of the Mental Toughness Situational Judgment Test: A Novel Approach to Assessing Mental Toughness." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/83922.
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Mental toughness (MT) has been shown to predict outcomes across a variety of high-stress contexts such as athletics, the military, and the workplace. Despite this, researchers have struggled to reach consensus regarding how best to conceptualize and measure MT. Specifically, MT assessments have focused on measuring general MT rather than domain-specific MT. The current study proposes a measurement model of MT grounded in social-cognitive theory and introduced an assessment of MT within a situational judgment test framework to assess MT in the workplace. Participants completed a battery consisting of the new measure as well as measures intended to establish construct validity. Factor analyses suggested a three-factor solution fit the data best. Furthermore, cross-structure analyses indicated that the new assessment avoided common-method bias in responding, as evident by weak correlations with measures of other constructs.Master of Science
Mental toughness (MT) has been shown to be a resource that buffers against the negative effects of distress and predicts outcomes across a variety of settings, including the workplace. However, widely used self-report MT questionnaires have numerous issues, such as a lack of context. The current study addressed a number of these issues by creating a measure of MT wherein respondents were given a workplace situation and asked the likelihood that they would respond in a variety of manners, thereby assessing MT as relevant to the workplace context. Three factors of MT were most prominent – task persistence, emotional control, and utilization of feedback. The measure introduced in the current study had small associations with existing self-report measures of MT, personality, and distress, suggesting that the new method of measuring MT avoided some issues inherent to self-report responding. This research laid promising groundwork for the future assessment of MT in the workplace.
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Slack, Liam A. "Mental toughness in elite football officiating." Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University, 2013. http://shura.shu.ac.uk/17521/.
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The overall purpose of this Ph.D. thesis was to identify factors underpinning football officiating excellence. As a result, this thesis provided an in-depth study into understanding Mental Toughness (MT) and its development within elite football referees. A secondary purpose was to use the findings of the series of studies contained herein, to bridge the gap between theory and applied practice by providing recommendations for football officiating National Governing Bodies (NGBs), sport psychology consultants, and developing a programme aimed at facilitating officiating excellence and enhancing effective referee development. The aim of the first study of the thesis was to provide an in-depth understanding of football officiating excellence in the context of English Premier League (EPL) refereeing. Specifically, in this study, 15 “Select Group” referees (i.e., a panel of elite football officials governed to referee EPL matches) were interviewed about their perceptions of factors underpinning officiating excellence. Overall, the findings of study one indicated that there was no single dominant factor underpinning football officiating excellence, rather a variety of social (e.g., support networks), physical (e.g., superior physical components), environmental (e.g., opportunities to thrive), and psychological factors (e.g., personal characteristics). In particular, it was clear that EPL referees rely on seven MT attributes (i.e., sport intelligence, achievement striving, tough attitude, high work-ethic, coping with pressure, robust self-belief, and resilience) to deal with the many demands in this elite football environment. Subsequently, this finding enabled a further study to examine MT in this area. Again, using one-to-one interviews, study two explored the same 15 Select Group referees to attain a comprehensive understanding of MT in elite football officiating. Central to this investigation, study two examined situations perceived to require MT in EPL refereeing, as well as the behaviours and cognitions deployed by referees in such situations. Findings revealed that these MT situations converged into five higher-order themes: pre-match situations, during-match situations, post-match situations, general elite refereeing situations, and general-life situations. Throughout these situations, a multifunctional set of adaptive patterns of behaviour (e.g., act as a barrier between players) and cognitive strategies (e.g., awareness of players' emotions) were outlined. Recommendations for the development of MT in football officiating were offered, which together with findings from study one, highlighted the need for the design and implementation of a MT intervention. The purpose of study three was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Mental Toughness Education and Training Programme (MTETP) in English football officiating. Taken together with the pilot study, the findings outlined the effectiveness of a MTETP on MT development and performance, provided a good starting point for future research in an effort to develop more robust MT interventions, and assisted sport psychology consultants who endeavour to enhance MT in football officials. From a theoretical perspective, the findings of this thesis provided a detailed insight into the specific factors underpinning football officiating excellence. In doing so, a comprehensive conceptualisation of MT and its development in the context EPL refereeing was achieved. From an applied perspective, future guidelines for NGBs, coaches, and sport psychology consultancy for the effective integration of MT education and training in elite football officiating were presented.
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Jaeschke, Anna-Marie Christine. "Perceptions of Mental Toughness in Ultramarathon Runners: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Defining, Understanding, and Developing Mental Toughness." Master's thesis, Temple University Libraries, 2012. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/169105.
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KinesiologyM.S.
The purpose of this study was to accomplish three major objectives: to quantitatively understand the applicability of an existing list of characteristics of mental toughness to a population of ultramarathon runners, to establish a new definition of mental toughness specific to ultra runners, and to conduct interviews to understand experiences, examples, and development of mental toughness. A mixed-methods approach was utilized with online surveys and semi-structured interviews. Participants were ultramarathon runners who had completed at least one organized ultramarathon event of 50 miles or more, all of whom were at least 18 years of age. The online survey yielded 408 completed questionnaires and 476 definitions of mental toughness in ultramarathon running. The online survey consisted of an open-ended question on defining mental toughness, and a list of 30 characteristics of mental toughness from Jones and colleagues' (2007) mental toughness study on elite athletes. The survey utilized a 5-point Likert scale, and a Basic Demographic Questionnaire in addition to questions relevant to running experience. The existing characteristics represented limited applicability to the population of ultramarathon runners, with most prevalent attributes on drive towards success, goal attainment, learning from failure, and coping under pressure. In the 476 definitions of mental toughness, the most prominent themes were persistence, perseverance, utilization of psychological skills, and adapting to environmental and duration-related obstacles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 randomly selected ultramarathon runners. Interviews were designed to verify a raw definition of mental toughness in ultramarathon runners, identify traits of mentally tough ultra runners, understand experiences and examples of mental toughness, and understand how mental toughness could be developed. Grounded theory was utilized to isolate themes; many factors emerged and were categorized based on research questions. The definition of mental toughness was supported with the addition of an emotional and perceptual component. Traits of mentally tough runners supported the traits found in the definitions of mental toughness. Experiences and examples of mental toughness included situations of using psychological skills and witnessing a runner overcome adversity. Lastly, development of mental toughness was most highlighted in social aspects of the ultra culture and experiences both in running and in life.
Temple University--Theses
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Stamp, Elizabeth. "Mental toughness and health-related lifestyle factors." Thesis, University of Lincoln, 2017. http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/28659/.
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Mental toughness (MT) originated within elite sport and was identified as an attribute of success. MT has emerged as being important for enhancing health-related lifestyle factors (HRLF; e.g., physical activity). Investigating the healthiness of one’s lifestyle appears a timely area to research given the current health status of the population. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to investigate MT in relation to HRLF and weight loss. Study One investigated MT and HRLF in university students (n = 167). Self-reported MT, physical activity, exercise barriers, dietary behaviour, and psychological wellbeing were recorded. MT was significantly different between regular exercisers (M = 3.43 ± .42) and non-regular exercisers (M = 3.24 ± .54, p < .05). Components of eating identity, exercise barriers, and psychological wellbeing, were significantly correlated with MT. Study Two longitudinally investigated weight loss progress, and adherence to a weight loss support group, in slimming club members who were pursuing a weight loss goal (n = 132). MT and eating identity were assessed at baseline, three-months, and six-months, and weight was recorded at weekly meetings. Overall MT was not significantly related to weight loss (r = -.15, p > 0.05) or adherence to the service (r = .03, p > 0.05). Study Three sampled individuals who held a weight loss goal, but were not attending a weight loss support club (n = 78). Overall MT was not significantly related to weight loss (r = -.21, p > 0.05). MT was not significantly different between weight loss goal achievers (M = 3.62 ± .49) and non-goal achievers (M =3.42 ± .38, p > 0.05). Thus, irrespective of whether structured support is received, overall MT was not related to weight loss progress. II Study Four investigated the experiences of high (n = 9) and low (n = 7) mentally tough individuals pursing a weight loss goal. High and low MT individuals, identified using the MTQ48, were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed that amongst the high mentally tough individuals, those who prioritised leading a healthy lifestyle reported weight loss success compared to those who prioritised other goals. Strategies to overcome low levels of MT (e.g., control), as well as receive additional support, appeared crucial for successful weight loss in low MT individuals. Study Five further investigated the low MT individuals’ (n = 7) perceptions, experiences, and attitudes, towards weight loss. Low MT individuals were sampled based on their MT score assessed via the MTQ48. Vignette based interviews extended the findings in Study Four. Thematic analysis revealed key findings, including the potential to change low MT individuals’ perceptions to enhance behaviour change. Overall, this thesis expanded the understanding of MT; the processes that one experiences when trying to lose weight appears to differentiate between high and low MT individuals, which offers an explanation as to why MT did not appear to play a significant role in weight loss outcomes. These findings challenged the predominant contemporary understanding of MT and demonstrated that MT was not associated with behaviour change to achieve weight loss.
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Minnix, Douglas Wayne. "Mental Toughness in the Classical Martial Arts." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/26392.
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The construct of mental toughness is in a state of evolution and refinement. The current study proposed to investigate; (1) the importance of mental toughness attributes from a Classical Martial Arts context, (2) the trainability of the mental toughness attributes from a Classical Martial Arts context, (3) and the extent to which classical martial artists perceive that attributes converge under broader, overarching sub-categories. The current study used a two-phase approach to evaluate the perceptions of mental toughness in 174 non-competition based classical martial artists. Phase One used a survey (a) to assess the perceived importance and trainability of mental toughness, (b) to evaluate unique CMA (CMA) mental toughness components, and (c) to determine underlying factors via factor analysis. Phase Two used interviews to enhance study perspectives of 20 randomly selected CMA participants. Phase One survey results support (a) the inclusion of all items as important to the mental toughness construct, (b) the trainability of all but 4 items, and (c) anticipation, learning attitude, and ethics as three unique CMA mental toughness components. The factor analysis supports the use of a six-factor model, which accounts for 60% of the variance, to explain CMA toughness. Phase Two promotes the use of several key themes as important to mental toughness in the CMA¬- conviction, commitment, conditioning, readiness to perform, distraction control, and shifting focus of attention. Phase Two also provides insight into the context specific application of the six-factor model. Previous perspectives on attribute importance, trainability, and general dimensions of mental toughness are supported by the current study. Variations exist between dimensions in the current study and those found previously. However, these differences are noted to exist more in context applications than in the essential meanings.Ph. D.
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Connaughton, Declan. "An examination of mental toughness in competitive sport." Thesis, Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10369/7391.
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This thesis provided an in-depth examination of mental toughness in sports performers, and comprised three studies, of which Study 3 contained two parts. The aim of the thesis was to: define mental toughness, identify its component parts, devise a working framework of mental toughness, and identify the underlying mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of mental toughness. Study 1 addressed the definition of mental toughness and its essential components using 10 international performers. The proposed definition emphasized both general and specific dimensions , and 12 attributes fundamental to the ideal mentally tough performer. These covered self-belief, desire/motivation, dealing with pressure and anxiety, focus (þerformance and lifestyle related), and pain/hardship factors. Study 2 built upon the findings of Study 1 in a sample of eight Olympic or World Champions, three coaches, and four sport psychologists. Findings verified the definition, and identified 30 attributes that were developed into a working framework of mental toughness. The 30 attributes were found to cluster into 13 subcomponents and four dimensions within an overall working framework: a general dimension (attitude/mindset), and three time-specific dimensions (training, competition, post-competition). Study 3 re-interviewed l1 of the participants from Study 2 regarding: (a) the development and maintenance of mental toughness, and (b) how the framework dimensions and subcomponents interacted during the development and maintenance process. Findings revealed four distinct career phases in the development and maintenance of mental toughness. Critical incidents, both positive and negative, were perceived to act as catalysts in cultivating mental toughness, and once acquired, mental toughness needed to be maintained. Findings also confirmed the development and subsequent maintenance of mental toughness over three stages. Factors affecting development and maintenance included: stage l, skill mastery and socialization; stage2, competitiveness, successes in training and competitions; and stage 3, international competitive experience, education, the use of mental skills, a wide ranging social support network, and reflective practice. This prolonged research program has resulted in an empirically based definition of mental toughness, the development of a framework depicting its component parts, and provided an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of mental toughness. Practical implications indicate that mental toughness develops over three distinct stages, in the dimensional order of attitude/mindset, training, competition, and post-competition, and requires maintenance. Future directions are discussed in relation to measurement and intervention strategies.
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Partikova, Veronika. "Psychological collectivism and mental toughness in traditional Wushu." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2019. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/615.
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Introduction: Wushu, Chinese martial art, consists of modern and traditional groups of styles. Previously it was researched that modern and traditional martial arts have different outcomes. Since traditional wushu is said to be rooted in Chinese values, its environment is a unique place to research psychological collectivism. Moreover, mental toughness is a new topic in the field of martial arts, and its connection with psychological collectivism was only researched on the society, not personality level. Methods: This mixed methods research consisted of qualitative Study 1 and quantitative Study 2. Study 1 aimed to understand, what is the experience of psychological collectivism in traditional wushu training. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight European adult participants of traditional wushu and were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In the Study 2, 277 European adult respondents (111 modern wushu and 166 traditional wushu practitioners) filled in the Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire and Psychological Collectivism Questionnaire. To research the relationship of practicing modern or traditional wushu with psychological collectivism and mental toughness, several steps were taken. First, the Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were run to test both models. Next, the final model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Model comparisons, path analysis and effects were completed. Results: In Study 1, five themes emerged from the data. The first described how kung fu (traditional wushu) provided structure and direction for the interviewees. Also, it described how practitioners better adapted to the outer world and their ability to switch from being gentle to being ruthless. The second theme described perception of time. The third one explored the kung fu community, provided a probe into the group identity, and looked at how positioning closer to the master provided better learning options; the community served as the knowledge keeper. The fourth theme explored bridging gaps in communication. Finally, the fifth theme discovered seriousness of the practitioners, who had to endure mentally and physically torturous training. In Study 2, during the structural equation modeling the final model was confirmed as well as differences in the two groups of modern and traditional wushu. Moreover, it was found, that the number of joined competitions or years of training did not result in a significant path with mental toughness, but perceived level of skill did. The relationship between psychological collectivism and mental toughness was found only in the traditional wushu group, limited to a marginal p level. Conclusion: Psychological collectivism was explored in traditional wushu and helped to understand the structure and functioning of the wushu community. The seriousness of its members served as a commodity, to negotiate better position in the group. In the quantitative study, this seriousness seemed to be connected with the perceived level of skill. This variable resulted in the significant path with mental toughness. It is suggested that the social environment of the serious practitioners, who put themselves through demanding training, helped to develop mental toughness. This development is not based on the number of years in training, but rather on the way the practitioners perceive themselves.
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Beck, Nicholas M. "Mental Toughness: An Analysis of Sex, Race, and Mood." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2012. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc115045/.
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Mental toughness has become a focus for researchers as coaches, athletes, and others extol its influence in performance success. In this study I examined mental toughness among collegiate athletes, focusing on its potential relationship to different demographic variables and to the athletes’ mood. Two hundred seventy-two student-athletes representing 12 different sports from a southwestern NCAA Division I university, participated by completing the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), the Brief Assessment of Mood (BAM), and providing demographic information. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) assessed differences in mental toughness scores by sex, race, scholarship status, and starting status. Significant differences in mental toughness emerged between Black – White, male – female, and full – partial – zero scholarship athletes. Pearson correlations showed mental toughness was significantly related to lower levels of anxiety, sadness, anger, confusion, fatigue, and total mood disturbance, and higher levels of vigor.
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Williams, Lee. "An investigation of business mental toughness using personal construct psychology." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2014. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/an-investigation-of-business-mental-toughness-using-personal-construct-psychology(bd1d1de2-80f5-4677-bcdb-f3712e0bb759).html.
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The current economic climate has placed a tremendous amount of pressure on businesses and their staff to perform and as a consequence the number of lost workdays associated with work place stress is becoming a significant burden upon the UK economy. In order to improve and reduce the cost burden of lost workdays many businesses, and more specifically their leadership teams, have now started to look at non-business related environments in their search for success and ways in which to combat workplace stress. On such environment that business leaders have shown a growing interest in is that of sport and in particular the development and utilisation of mental toughness in order to achieve and sustain high performance. As a result there is a growing, if not an insatiable, desire to create mentally tough business professionals. However even though there are numerous books describing mental toughness to date no one has determine whether its ‘stress coping’ capability will actually benefit business professionals and whether the [sporting] definitions and frameworks are really appropriate for use in a business context. Existing examinations of sporting mental toughness have successfully adopted a qualitative approach in order to examine mental toughness. Similarly this research thesis adopted a qualitative approach using both Personal Construct Psychology and Appreciative Inquiry in order to capture business professional’s individual views, experiences, meanings, and perceptions of theirs or other people’s responses to events and situations in order to describe and characterise business mental toughness. Twelve business professionals participated in the study from which a definition of business mental toughness was developed and the attributes of the ideal mentally tough business person documented. The findings suggest that business mental toughness does exist but is different to that observed in sport and draws on our own values, beliefs, motivations and emotional intelligence and a set of coping mechanisms that enable business professional to cope with the stress and pressure of the work environment whilst maintaining emotional control and delivering on their objectives. This thesis provides the basis for further empirical research into business mental toughness, as well as providing guidance as to some of the conceptual and practical implications for the use of mental toughness techniques within a business environment. Given that £25.9 billion is lost due to work place stress in the UK alone, there is sufficient demand and reason to further the research into the stress coping capabilities of mental toughness and ensure that the correct type of mental toughness is developed within business.
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Earle, Keith. "The construct of mental toughness : a psychometric and experimental analysis." Thesis, University of Hull, 2007. http://hydra.hull.ac.uk/resources/hull:5670.
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Mental toughness is a familiar and commonplace term in both the sporting arena and the workplace. However, attempts to investigate the nature of mental toughness have been inconclusive and, following more than twenty years of research, the construct remained ill-defined. As a consequence of this lack of an accepted definition, a series of different strands of research were then undertaken, but each produced differing conceptualisations of the phenomenon. The work presented in this thesis represents an attempt to address these issues using both psychometric and experimental approaches. Preliminary work investigated the psychometric basis for the construct of mental toughness and enabled the development of a multidimensional measurement tool. This work was followed by a series of four experiments: The first two experiments focused on the moderating effects of mental toughness on the impact of physical and cognitive stressors, and the final two experiments considered the changes in mental toughness in individuals facing new life challenges and a mental toughness training programme. Both experimental and psychometric analyses supported the proposition of a meaningful construct with real world applications. The evidence in support of a psychometrically sound construct was particularly strong and the beneficial effects of superior mental toughness were highlighted in both the physical and cognitive studies undertaken. Most importantly, in terms of applied sport and occupational psychology, self ratings of mental toughness and objective performance were enhanced following exposure to appropriate psychological skills training.
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Mahoney, John William. "The development of mental toughness in adolescents : utilising established theories." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2015. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/5788/.
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This thesis explored and evaluated the appropriateness of established psychological theories for understanding mental toughness development in adolescents. Initially, adolescent performers’ perspectives about mental toughness development were grounding in Bronfenbrenner’s (2001) bioecological model. Subsequently, self-determination theory (SDT, Deci & Ryan, 1985b, 2000) was considered. This theory was selected because of its consistencies with the bioecological model and initial findings, as well as its potential to inform applied protocols. Significant theoretically-expected associations were identified between SDT principles and mental toughness, as well as mental toughness and other meaningful outcomes. The effectiveness of an intervention informed by SDT principles was then evaluated. Although findings did not support the hypotheses, several barriers and obstacles to adopting SDT principles in practice were identified. To elucidate the hypothesised associations, a conceptual essay that detailed the value of SDT for understanding mental toughness was presented. This essay conceptualised mental toughness as comprising notions of striving, surviving, and thriving. It is hoped that researchers will continue to investigate the development of mental toughness along the lines pursued in this thesis and, at the same time, attend to recommendations proposed throughout.
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Fourie, Sansonette. "An investigation into the nature of mental toughness in sport." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51611.
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Dissertation (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the components of mental toughness as reported in the sport psychology literature and by coaches and athletes. A questionnaire devised for this purpose by the researcher, was completed by 131 expert coaches from 30 different sport disciplines and by 160 elite level athletes from 31 different sport disciplines. The information gathered from the literature, as well as from the coaches' and athletes' written statements, was analysed by means of an inductive content analysis. Content analysis organises the data into increasingly more complex themes and categories representing the components of mental toughness. From the literature analysis, eight components of mental toughness were identified, these being: motivation level, arousal control, confidence maintenance, cognitive skill, competitive behaviour, planning skills, emotional readiness and team cohesion. The analysis of the statements provided by the coaches and athletes resulted in the identification of 12 components of mental toughness. These are, in descending order: motivation level, coping skills, confidence maintenance, cognitive skill, discipline and goal-directedness, competitiveness, possession of prerequisite physical and mental requirements, team unity, preparation skills, psychological hardiness, religious convictions and ethics. In addition the coaches and athletes rated their mentioned characteristics. The coaches regarded concentration as the most important characteristic while the athletes regarded perseverance as most important. The coaches rated a coach and a sport psychologist respectively, to be significantly more effective (p<0.05) in strengthening the characteristics of mental toughness than athletes did. It is concluded that a definition of mental toughness should include the following components: motivation level, coping skills (including arousal control strategies), confidence maintenance (including discipline and goal directedness), cognitive skill, competitive behaviour (including competitiveness and possession of the prerequisite physical and mental requirements), planning and preparation skills, psychological hardiness (including emotional readiness) and, finally, religious convictions and ethics. In team sports the definition of mental toughness contains an extra component, namely team cohesion and unity.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die komponente van sielkundige taaiheid ondersoek soos dit in die sportsielkunde literatuur en deur afrigters en atlete vertolk word. 'n Vraelys, wat deur die navorser vir hierdie doelontwerp is, is deur 131 kundige afrigters vanuit 30 verskillende sportdissiplines en deur 160 elite atlete vanuit 31 verskillende sportdissiplines, voltooi. Die inligting ingesamel vanuit die literatuur, asook die stellings gemaak deur die afrigters en atlete, is deur middel van 'n induktiewe inhoudsanalisemetode geanaliseer. Inhoudsanalise organiseer data in toenemende komplekse temas en kategorieë wat die komponente van sielkundige taaiheid voorstel. Vanuit die analise van die literatuur het die volgende agt komponente van sielkundige taaiheid na vore gekom: motiveringsvlak, beheer van opwekking, handhawing van selfvertroue, kognitiewe vaardigheid, kompeterende gedrag, beplanningsvaardighede, emosionele gereedheid en spankohesie. Die analise van die afrigters en atlete se stellings het tot gevolg gehad dat 12 komponente van sielkundige taaiheid geïdentifiseer is. Hulle is, in dalende volgorde: motiveringsvlak, hanteringsvaardighede, handhawing van selfvertroue, kognitiewe vaardigheid, dissipline en doelgerigtheid, mededingendheid, beskikking oor die nodige liggaamlike en sielkundige vereistes, eenheid van die span, voorbereidingsvaardighede, sielkundige gehardheid, godsdienstige oortuigings en etiese waardes. Bykomend het die afrigters en die atlete die belangrikheid van hul stellings beoordeel. Konsentrasie is deur die afrigters as die belangrikste geoordeel terwyl deursettingsvermoë deur die atlete verkies is. Die afrigters het bepaal dat 'n afrigter en sportsielkundige beduidend meer (p<0.05) die eienskappe van sielkundige taaiheid kan versterk, as wat die geval met die atlete was. Die gevolgtrekking is dat 'n definisie van sielkundige taaiheid, die volgende komponente moet bevat: motiveringsvlak, hanteringsvaardighede (sluit opwekkingsbeheer in), handhawing van selfvertroue (sluit dissipline en doelgerigtheid in), kognitiewe vaardigheid, kompeterende gedrag (sluit mededingendheid en beskikking oor die nodige fisieke en sielkundige vereistes in), beplanning- en voorbereidingsvaardighede, sielkundige gehardheid sluit emosionele gereedheid in) en, laastens, godsdienstige oortuigings en etiese waardes. Spansportsoorte se definisie van sielkundige taaiheid sluit 'n ekstra komponent, spankohesie en -eenheid in.
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Meggs, Jennifer. "Examining the cognitive, physiological and behavioural correlates of mental toughness." Thesis, Teesside University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10149/315388.
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Mental toughness has received extensive research attention in recent years because of its intuitive and theoretical association with successful performance. However, several significant omissions in understanding remained. This thesis aimed to address these gaps through various research approaches and methodologies, collectively resulting in a biopsychological perspective. The primary objectives were to provide a more holistic perspective of mental toughness and generate quantitative support for the various biological (2D:4D) cognitive-affective (self-structure), physiological (cortisol response) and behavioural (performance) differences that have been associated with the construct. The findings suggested that mental toughness is a multifaceted construct and manifests in several areas of human functioning; specifically, a particular cognitive-affective profile may underlie mental toughness (they possess a positive self-concept and a particular self-structuring style, namely integration). Furthermore, levels of cortisol during a competitive event (a physiological indicator of perceived stress levels) were significantly negatively related to mental toughness, suggesting that mentally tough individuals have a reduced perception of threat in competitive situations (giving support for the notion that they perceive competition or stress as a potential challenge for personal growth and improvement). An objective marker of mental toughness was also supported; specifically, 2D:4D ratio (indicative of prenatal testosterone levels) related significantly with scores on a mental toughness scale, giving support for the biological underpinning of the construct and an objective marker of mental toughness. Finally, two case examples are provided to demonstrate the usability of these important markers (cognitive, biological and physiological) in an applied context.
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Leeming, Emily M. "Mental Toughness| An Investigation of Verbal Processes on Athletic Performance." Thesis, University of Nevada, Reno, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10126158.
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Athletes are given many forms of advice about how to think in ways that promote persistence in the face of aversive and fatigue-producing events. This study evaluated the impact of different kinds of verbal statements on task persistence by athletes. Competitive CrossFit athletes from the Western United States were recruited to participate in one of two experiments. Experiment 1 employed a within subject, alternating treatments design (ATD); Experiment 2-used a pre-and-post group comparison. The ATD investigated the efficacy of three kinds of specific statements designed to increase performance during a demanding and stress-producing task: two were suggested by traditional sports psychology (a statement to focus on the task and a statement to distract from the task), and one suggested by Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and the concept of psychological flexibility (a statement to focus on willingness to persist in the face of aversive emotions). The pre/post group design aimed to replicate and statistically improve the power of the effects indicated in Experiment 1. Results from this program of research suggest that the statement focused on openness to experience improved task persistence significantly over baseline, and more so than a statement instructing athletes to distract themselves from the task. The willingness statement was also marginally more effective than the statement prompting the athletes to focus directly on the task.
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Creasy, John Wayne Jr. "An Analysis of the Components of Mental Toughness in Sport." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29692.
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Many coaches are becoming aware of the importance of developing mentally tough performers and are designing programs to develop it in their athletes. One of the most significant problems in designing these programs is the inconsistency in the definition and description of mental toughness. If programs are to be designed with the goal of developing mental toughness in athletes, the components of the construct must be identified.
Based on the advantages that mental toughness can offer to the performer, this study was designed to develop an understanding of the components of mental toughness in sport. The purpose of this study was to identify the components of mental toughness as perceived by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coaches and was guided by two fundamental questions: what are the essential components of mental toughness? and to what degree are these components teachable (trainable).
Twenty-two NCAA coaches were selected to participate from a mix of Division I, II, and III male sports teams. The procedures for this study were divided into a two-phase approach. Phase One consisted of each participant completing a questionnaire for the purpose of evaluating the importance and teachability (trainability) of 20 separate components of mental toughness. Phase Two consisted of follow-up, semi-structured interviews that provided further insight into the perspectives of the participants.
The results of this study indicated the essential components of mental toughness based on their importance to the construct. The results also indicated the degree of teachability (trainability) of each component. A unique relationship between teachability and trainability was also revealed in this study. These findings provide a better understanding of the components of mental toughness and support the need for its development in sport.Ph. D.
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Bell, James John. "Preliminary evidence for a neuro-cognitive model of mental toughness." Thesis, Bangor University, 2012. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/preliminary-evidence-for-a-neurocognitive-model-of-mental-toughness(a6781902-8c56-4853-b381-5ebc3ae9f8c8).html.
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The thesis contains four chapters which attempt to extend our understanding of mental toughness. The thesis focuses predominantly on sporting environments, which can be very stressful and often require athletes to perfonn under intense pressure; as such it provides a useful context to examine mental toughness. Using Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST; McNaughton & Gray, 2000) as a theoretical framework, the thesis contains five empirical studies (organised into two chapters for the purpose of publication), which attempt to apply the principles of RST to understand how cricketers maintain or enhance their performance under pressure. The thesis is not a test of Reinforcement Sensitivity but an application of its principles in a novel environment. Chapter 1 critically reviews the research on mental toughness and highlights a number of theoretical and empirical limitations which need to be resolved. Most notably these include: (i) circuitous and somewhat confusing definitions; (ii) only modest attempts to draw upon relevant theory to inform a priori hypothesis testing; (ii i) a lack of valid measurement too ls; and (iv) limited experimental studies that focus on the development of mental toughness. The chapter finishes by proposing a neuro-cognitive explanation of mentally tough behaviour based on the tenets of the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (McNaughton & Gray. 2000). Chapter 2 contains four separate studies. The first two studies were concerned with the development of a valid, informant-rated, questionnaire to measure mental toughness. The final two studies explored the interactive relationship between rein forcement sensitivities and mental toughness. The findings of the stud ies suggested that the relationship between RST and mental toughness is a somewhat complex one in that cricketers rated as mentally tough by their coaches tended to be sensitive to punishment cues and insensitive to reward cues. In contrast, cricketers rated as low in mental toughness by their coaches tended to be sensitive to punishment cues and reward cues. These results are discussed and explained in terms of threat detection, behavioural inhibition and dec ision making accuracy. Chapter 3 depicts a quasi-experimental, longitud inal intervent ion study. The study reports on the design, delivery and evaluation ofa theoretically grounded mental tough ness training program for youth aged Academy cricketers. The intervention was designed to expose cricketers to punishment conditioned stimuli in the training environment and to equip them with effective coping skills to manage threat. The results are discussed in terms of the theoretical and applied implications of using punishment to alter behaviour. Chapter 4 concludes the thesis. More specificall y, the chapter provides a summary and integrated discussion of the thesis findings, implications from both theoretical and applied perspectives, methodological and conceptual lim itations and avenues for future research.
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Fitzwater, James. "The conceptualisation, measurement, and development of mental toughness in military training." Thesis, Bangor University, 2017. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/the-conceptualisation-measurement-and-development-of-mental-toughness-in-military-training(f0284b93-8670-48f4-aea6-3ddf5cbbe9ed).html.
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This thesis examines some of the measurement, conceptual, predictive, and intervention issues surrounding mental toughness in military training. Chapter 1 briefly reviews the research literature on mental toughness as it relates to the above issues. This review identifies questions worthy of future investigation; specifically conceptualisation and measurement issues relating to mental toughness and issues relating to the development of mental toughness, particularly in the military environment. In chapter 2, three studies were conducted to develop and validate a robust and psychometrically reliable informant-based measure of mental toughness for use in military training environments, utilizing a total of 645 infantry recruits from the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) at Catterick Garrison. Study 1 focused on item generation and identifying relevant key stressors from a range of different stressors experienced by recruits during infantry basic training to form the basis of the measure, followed by a test of the structural integrity of the resulting measure. Study 2 examined the concurrent validity, predictive validity, and test-retest reliability of the measure. A further study (Study 3) was conducted with a sample of more specialised infantry recruits to confirm the predictive validity of the measure. Overall, the Military Training Mental Toughness Inventory (MTMTI) was found to possess sound psychometric properties and structural validity, good test-retest reliability and concurrent validity, and predicted performance in two different training contexts with two separate samples. Chapter 3 deals with the somewhat controversial topic of using punishment to develop mental toughness and enhance individual performance under pressure. Specifically, the study examined the interacting effects of contingent punishment and three supportive transformational leadership behaviours on mental toughness and performance under pressure. The leadership transformational behaviours were: (1) individual consideration, (2) fosters an acceptance of group goals and, (3) inspirational motivation (c.f., Hardy & Arthur, 2010). A total of 808 recruits from ITC took part in two studies. Study 1 explored the interactive effects of contingent punishment with each of the aforementioned leader behaviours between weeks 15 and 26 of training. Results revealed that an interaction between contingent punishment and individual consideration (leader support) significantly predicted higher levels of mentally tough behaviour and individual recruit performance. In Study 2, the measure of contingent punishment was modified to reflect the recruits’ perceived threat of punishment, rather than punishment received. A longitudinal design, with data gathered at weeks three, eight and twelve, was used to examine the interacting effects of the threat of punishment and individual consideration on mental toughness and performance during the first 12 weeks of training. The results revealed a significant interaction at weeks 8 and 12 and a significant correlation between mentally tough behaviour and performance. Significant differences in mental toughness were also evidenced between recruits who withdrew from training and recruits who completed training. Chapter 4 describes a quasi-experimental study using a total of 173 Parachute Regiment recruits, divided into treatment and control conditions, to examine the efficacy of a three-week psychological skills intervention to develop mental toughness in elite military training. The intervention was delivered between weeks 16 and 20 of training, prior to the recruits attending a week-long physically and mentally demanding selection program. A contextually modified version of the Test of Performance Strategies-2 (TOPS-2) was used to measure the recruits’ use of psychological skills during training and during the selection program, while the MTMTI was used to measure recruits’ mentally tough behaviour at both pre and post intervention. Results revealed significantly greater use of goal-setting, relaxation techniques, self-talk strategies and imagery/mental rehearsal, and significantly higher levels of observer-rated mentally tough behaviour in the treatment group between pre and post intervention. However, during the selection program, significant differences were only evidenced with the use of relaxation and imagery. Individual recruit performance was shown to be significantly higher in the treatment group during the selection course. The final chapter discusses the findings of the thesis and provides suggestions for future research.
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Birch, Phil D. J. "The development of an instrument to measure Mental Toughness in sport." Thesis, University of Chichester, 2014. http://eprints.chi.ac.uk/3526/.
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The Mental Toughness Questionnaire-48 (MTQ48; Earle, 2006) is the most utilised instrument to measure Mental Toughness (MT) in sport (Gucciardi, Hanton, & Mallett, 2012). To date, preliminary research examining the factorial validity of the MTQ48 has yielded equivocal findings (Gucciardi et al; Horsburgh, Schermer, Veselka, & Vernon, 2009) regarding its ability to measure the 4/6C’s model of MT (Clough, Earle, & Sewell, 2002; Earle). The primary aim of this thesis was to provide a truly comprehensive examination of the factorial validity of the MTQ48 in an effort to provide an adequate measure of the 4/6C’s model of MT. Study 1 re-examined the factor structure of the MTQ48 by using a very large sample of competitive student athletes and found little support for its factorial validity. Inspection of item content revealed concerns regarding the adequacy of MTQ48 items to represent the 4/6C’s model of MT. Study 2 developed the University of Chichester Mental Toughness Questionnaire (UCMTQ) whereby items were generated to better represent the 4/6C’s model of MT. Although the UCMTQ’s factorial validity was superior to the tested models of the MTQ48, the results of Study 2 provided little support for its factorial validity. It was concluded that the poor factorial validity of the UCMTQ could have been due to the inadequacy of the factor definitions developed by Clough, Marchant, and Earle (2007) to represent the core traits underpinning the 4/6C’s model of MT (challenge, commitment, control, and confidence).
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Sivill, Jason R. "Two Phenomena in Contemporary Music Education: Mental Toughness and the Law." Scholar Commons, 2019. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7947.
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This collection of works involved examinations of two phenomena that currently impact music education in the United States and constitute challenges for both pre-service and in-service music educators. Article one is an exploration of college aged musicians, their experiences with critical commentary and stressful scenarios encountered in and through applied music studies, and the role that mental toughness might play in these experiences.
This study examined the perceptions of college level studio teachers and their students.
Results of the study indicated that significant differences in mental toughness scores existed between the studio teacher group and the students (as a whole) and between the studio teacher group and 5 of the 6 student groups. Significant negative correlations were found between students’ mental toughness scores and answers to three questions related to teacher criticism, student anxiety in lessons, and students’ frequency of hurt feelings following feedback about their performing. Article 2 examined the perceptions of in-service music educators regarding aspects of education law. Participants included music educators (N = 152; Mage = 41.7) from each of the 50 states whose teaching assignments occur primarily at the high school (grades 9 – 12) levels. Results indicated that these participants viewed their undergraduate teacher training programs, and graduate studies, as having included very low levels of legal content. Few of the participants indicated receiving additional education and training from a legal specialist, and taking part in sessions on legal topics offered by their school districts and professional associations. The legal issues receiving the greatest numbers of selections as having been experienced by the participants included 5 aspects of copyright law, religious music/lyrics in educational and performance material, and protection of student health (i.e., medical) information. The total number of legal issues selected was significantly correlated with the number of traveling groups (ensembles) with which the teachers were associated. Teachers of marching band indicated a greater number of total legal issues having been dealt with in their professional experience. And teachers of orchestra demonstrated fewer total numbers of legal issues experienced. In spite of the significant correlations, total expressions of relevant legal issues were largely unassociated with teachers of specific ensemble types.
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Stonkus, Mark. "The development and validation of the Inventory of Mental Toughness Factors in Sport (IMTF-S)." Thesis, Boston University, 2011. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/32837.
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Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new measure of mental toughness in sport. The role of mental toughness in sport has been characterized as key in assisting athletes to obtain success by optimizing practice, overcome failures, and develop the mental skills necessary to win (Norris, 1999). A literature review concluded with six concepts (hardiness, coping, self-efficacy, mindset, resilience, and optimism) being used to develop an 80-item instrument measuring mental toughness on a 5-point Likert scale (always-never). Athletes (N=359, 195 males, 164 females, mean age = 17.57, SD = 3.4) drawn from a variety of sports were administered the Inventory of Mental Toughness Factors in Sport (IMTF-S) during the spring of 2011. Item analysis and principal component analysis yielded a four-factor 48-item model with an overall reliability (Cronbach's alpha) score of .925. The mental toughness factors and corresponding reliability scores were labeled as follows: Identification (.933), Negation (.812), Determination (.765), and Motivation (.890). Test-retest reliability measures were also obtained on a sample of 25 athletes (r= .892). Concurrent validity was demonstrated (r= .798, p ≤ .001) by comparing a set of scores (N= 75) on the IMTF-S and the Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI; Loehr, 1986). Predictive validity was assessed by comparing means of three sample's scores with ratings of their respective coaches. One independent samples t-test on a high school boys lacrosse team (N=18) indicated that the IMTF-S may have predictive properties (p= .021), however two other samples (women's elite field hockey, N=19) and junior A ice hockey (N=24) revealed non-significant findings when coaches ratings were compared to athlete self-assessment. Finally, correlation analysis found no significant relationships between mental toughness and age or experience. The results of this study provide empirical evidence for the valid use of the IMTF-S in measuring mental toughness in athletes. Perhaps of greater importance is that this study bolsters the existing research on mental toughness and further promotes its identification and development in assisting athletes in overcoming high-pressured and adverse conditions in their sporting environments.
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Wilson, Danielle. "Exploring elite women athletes' lived experiences of self-compassion and mental toughness." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/63264.
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Self-compassion and mental toughness may be critical for women athletes coping with sport-related adversity. However, their relationship is not well understood. While self-compassion entails being kind, accepting and understanding towards the self, mental toughness can encourage self-judgement and harsh self-criticism. The objective of this study was to explore how elite level women athletes perceived and experienced mental toughness and self-compassion and their compatibility in the pursuit of athletic success and stress management. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants (14 interviews). Interviews were transcribed and an abductive thematic analysis was performed. Four overarching themes were identified. First, the role of adversity in athletic success. Participants acknowledged adversity as critical to their growth and development as athletes. Second, mental toughness is critical for coping in sport. Participants experienced mental toughness through perseverance, presence, perspective and preparation, and perceived mental toughness as critical to stress management and athletic success. Third, self-compassion is critical for coping in sport. Although participants were previously uneducated about self-compassion, they reported using self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness and acknowledged self-compassion as critical for coping in sport. Fourth, self-compassion and mental toughness are compatible. Participants acknowledged the joint contributions of being both self-critical and self-kind; neither being more important than the other, rather, an effective balance depended on the timing, the situation and the meaning it held for each individual athlete. Findings also suggest that self-compassion is key in building mental toughness. Without self-compassion, participants reported that they would not be able to move forward after facing adversity or shift into a mentally tough mindset. Finally, findings suggest that mindfulness is a key component of both self-compassion and mental toughness, and may be the link between the compatible use of self-compassion and mental toughness. Participants reported that their ability to remain present, objective, non-attached and non-judgemental in the face of sport-related adversity was critical for the utility of both self-compassion and mental toughness. Overall, the current research demonstrates that self-compassion and mindfulness are worthy of investigating in elite women athletes, particularly with regards to their utility in coping with sport-related adversity and achieving a mentally tough mindset.Education, Faculty of
Kinesiology, School of
Graduate
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Burger, Joshua M. "NCAA Division I Tennis Coach Perceptions and Strategies of Mental Toughness Development." Thesis, California State University, Long Beach, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10749044.
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Mental toughness, (MT), an inner focus and commitment to rise above challenges when facing adversity, has long been recognized as among the most important psychological attributes for achieving performance excellence in sport (Gould, Hodge, Peterson, & Petlichkoff, 1987). It is widely believed that coaches play a key role in the development of essential MT attributes, and a study examining professional tennis players found that 81% of players cited their coach as the source of the MT strategies that they employ (Defrancesco & Burke, 1997). The goal of this research was to investigate the main mental toughness attributes for tennis and strategies to achieve these attributes as recommended by NCAA Division 1 tennis coaches. Recorded phone interviews were conducted with eleven NCAA Division 1 coaches (10 male; 1 female) which ranged from 15–30 minutes in length. Interviews were semi-structured and included five main questions: defining MT as a term, determining MT’s main attributes in regard to tennis, specific MT strategies to utilize, how the coach learned MT techniques, and resources needed to improve MT.
Results found that coaches defined MT as it relates to tennis as the ability to handle and respond to adversity, manage emotions and stress, and consistently maintain a high level of performance. The MT attributes listed by coaches were body language, hard work, consistency, emotional control, staying present, staying calm under pressure, and never giving up in a match. The top strategy suggested to develop MT qualities was making practice more difficult by utilizing conditioning, changing scoring rules, and increasing pressure by adding a consequence. Other strategies listed multiple times included utilizing breathing exercises/meditation, journaling body language and emotional states after matches and practice, utilizing match video, and establishing team goals and vision to refer back to in pivotal moments. Future directions in this field could include comparing coach and athlete perceptions of MT in tennis, looking at MT differences between levels of tennis players or coaches, and evaluating MT interventions in populations of tennis players.
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McInerney, Michael. "The development and implementation of a mental toughness training programme for cricketers." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013155.
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The professional turn in sports has prompted the search for explanations beyond the physical when discussing quality of performance. Mental Toughness has been recognised as one of the most important psychological attributes in achieving performance excellence across multiple sport settings. Yet, despite this, little research has been conducted into mental toughness development. This research seeks to answer the question: What insights can the development and implementation of a mental toughness programme for a semi-professional South African cricket team provide regarding Mental Toughness development? Based on a theoretical framework of mental toughness in cricket, a programme was developed in collaboration with the Border Cricket Team and Coaches. Incorporating elements that focussed on education, environment, awareness and mental skills, the programme was implemented in both individual and group settings during the off- and pre-seasons. An analysis of the participants’ experiences identified the need for a theoretical understanding of mental toughness within teams, facilitating the design of interventions that integrate the team and the individual. Future programmes should include measures of mastery, and individually customised approaches to mental toughness enhancement that acknowledge the potential contextual and individual variation in mental toughness.
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Simpson, Leanne. "Neurocognitive processes underpinning different aspects of mental robustness in British military personnel." Thesis, Bangor University, 2018. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/neurocognitive-processes-underpinning-different-aspects-of-mental-robustness-in-british-military-personnel(123457eb-81df-4cfd-a067-cb569b14565c).html.
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Military personnel are required to perform effectively in extreme enviroments. Optimal performance in combat enviroments is a complex process and its neural basis is poorly understood. Understanding the factors that influence how an individual is able to perform to a high standard and cope with the demands of the situation while under extreme operational stress is vital. As stressful events can have a lasting impact on soldiers and while for some deployment can lead to positive change for others it can increase the risk of suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To better understand how soldiers are able to perform effectively, in the first study of the thesis we developed a psychometrically robust measure of mental robustness that was informant rated and relevant to combat operations. The measure assesses a soldier’s ability to make decisions under pressure and their ability to function effectively when faced with emotional challenging situations as two separate dimensions. A second study confirmed the factor structure of the measure and also provided initial evidence for its construct validity. The measure underpinned our final study (Study 3) which combined psychometric measures, behavioural and functional imaging to produce a deeper understanding of the relationship between activity in key brain regions and key components of robustness. Study 3 assessed soldier’s ability to make decisions under pressure when presented with combat relevant stimulus. The study employed two tasks; Task 1 required individuals to attend to emotional aspects of the stimuli as they would do in during combat and Task 2 required soldiers to attend to the non-emotional aspects of the stimuli. Our findings suggest that robustness acts as a resistance resource and although it does not protect against PTSS it does allow a curvilinear relationship between PTSS and performance. The ultimate goal of this thesis is to better understand the critical factors required for optimal military performance during deployment. This will allow more targeted training that will help highly motivated individuals achieve excellence.
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Wiseman, Oliver. "The Effects of Birth Order, Personality, and Mental Toughness on Performance in CollegiateBasketball." Thesis, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1560928.
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This study investigated the relationships between birth order, personality, mental toughness, and performance as they relate to trained collegiate athletes in the sports of Men's and Women's Basketball. There were three variables measured: personality, mental toughness, and performance. There were 238 participants in this study: 149 females and 89 males. All participants were NCAA collegiate basketball players. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 24. Participants were administered the NEO Five Factor Inventory questionnaire to assess personality, while mental toughness was assessed using the Mental Toughness Scale (Madrigal & Hamill, 2013). To measure performance, statistics were obtained from the 2013-14 collegiate regular season and computed into an overall performance score (Ramos-Villagrasa & Navarro, 2013). Correlational analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between birth order, personality, mental toughness, performance score, and performance statistics. Based on past research, it was hypothesized that middleborns would score the highest in mental toughness while firstborns would score higher than lastborns (who will score the lowest). Hypotheses for the big five traits were as follows: Openness: middleborns would score the highest, followed by lastborns, then firstborns. Conscientiousness: firstborns would score the highest, then middleborns, then lastborns. Extroversion: middleborns would score the highest, then firstborns, and finally lastborns. Agreeableness: lastborns and middleborns would not differ, but would both score higher than firstborns. Neuroticism: lastborns would score highest, followed by firstborns, then middleborns. It was hypothesized that high conscientiousness and extroversion, along with low neuroticism would indicate higher mental toughness, while other big five traits would not factor into determining mental toughness. Higher mental toughness scores were hypothesized to result in higher performance scores. Middleborns were hypothesized to have the highest performance scores, followed by firstborns, and finally lastborns. The results of this study did not support any of the hypotheses regarding birth order. The results did support the hypothesis that high conscientiousness and extroversion, along with low neuroticism would predict higher mental toughness. The results also partially supported the hypothesis that higher mental toughness would yield higher performance scores.
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Sheard, Michael. "A construct validation approach to mental toughness in sport : a positive psychological perspective." Thesis, Teesside University, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.425977.
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Asamoah, Benjamin. "The role of mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion in soccer performance." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/85729.
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Thesis (MScSportSc)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a relative lack of information in sport psychology research literature about the role of psychological dimensions in team sport – especially in soccer (Reilly et al., 2000). It is consequently not surprising that research on applied strategies in soccer has concentrated mainly on technical, tactical and physiological aspects. This defies anecdotal evidence and literature reports alluding to the importance of psychological and team factors in achieving sport excellence. This study examined the role of mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion in soccer performance. It also considered differences between individuals from different playing positions regarding these modalities. A total of 263 male soccer players aged between 17 and 32 years from 16 South African tertiary institutions participated in the study. A cross-sectional study design was used to determine the players’ mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion by means of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ); the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28); and the Group Environmental Questionnaire (GEQ). The final log standings at the 2012 University Sport South Africa (USSA) Soccer Championship were used as an indication of team performance. The results yielded differences between successful and less successful teams with regard to age, previous tournament experience, and the time players had been part of their respective teams. There were no significant differences between the teams for any of the mental toughness and psychological skills scores. However, group cohesion did play a role in team performance. The more successful teams scored better than their less successful counterparts in the following subscales of the GEQ: Individual attraction to group-social and individual attraction to group-task. However, the less successful teams scored better than their more successful counterparts regarding group integration-task, and group integration-social. Practical significant differences of moderate magnitude were observed for five of the 96 player positional comparisons. Midfielders scored higher than the defenders and forwards on the control subscale of the SMTQ. The forwards recorded higher scores than midfielders with regard to the GEQ subscale of group integration-task, whereas goalkeepers yielded higher scores than midfielders on the group integration-task subscale. There was a difference between the scores on the constancy subscale of the SMTQ where the defenders outscored the midfielders. No positional differences were recorded for any of the psychological skills. The overall results revealed that at the developmental level of the study sample, team cohesion and other moderating variables might be the key to enhanced performance of soccer teams. In addition, the results supported the general assumption that a relationship exists between playing positions in team sports and various psychological variables.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is ’n relatiewe gebrek aan navorsingsliteratuur in sportsielkunde oor die rol van sielkundige dimensies in spansoorte – veral in sokker (Reilly et al., 2000). Dit is gevolglik logies dat navorsing oor toegepaste strategieë in sokker hoofsaaklik fokus op tegniese, taktiese en fisiologiese aspekte. Dit druis in teen anekdotiese getuienis en opvattings wat dui op die belangrikheid van sielkundige en spanfaktore in die bereiking van sportuitnemendheid. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van geestelike taaiheid, sielkundige vaardighede en spankohesie in sokkerprestasie. Dit bestudeer ook die verskille tussen individue van verskillende speelposisies met betrekking tot hierdie modaliteite. ’n Totaal van 263 manlike sokkerspelers tussen die ouderdom van 17 en 32 jaar, van 16 Suid-Afrikaanse tersiêre inrigtings, het aan hierdie ondersoek deelgeneem. ’n Dwarsdeursnitstudie-ontwerp is gebruik om spelers se geestelike taaiheid, sielkundige vaardighede en spankohesie te bepaal deur middel van die Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ); die Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28); en die Group Environmental Questionnaire (GEQ). Die finale posisies van spanne op die punteleer na afloop van die 2012 Universiteit Sport Suid-Afrika (USSA) sokkertoernooi is gebruik as aanduiding van hul prestasie. Die resultate het verskille opgelewer tussen suksesvolle-en minder-suksesvolle spanne met betrekking tot ouderdom, vorige toernooi-ervaring, en die tydperk wat spelers lede van hul onderskeie spanne was. Daar was geen beduidende tellingverskille tussen spanne rakende enige van die geestelike taaiheid en sielkundige vaardighede nie. Groepkohesie het egter ’n rol in spanprestasie gespeel. Die meer-suksesvolle spanne het beter gevaar as die minder-suksesvolle spanne in die volgende subskale van die GEQ: Individuele aantreklikheid van die groep-sosiaal; Individuele aantreklikheid van die groep-taak. Die minder-suksevolle spanne het egter beter gevaar as die meer-suksesvolle spanne met betrekking tot: Groepintegrasie-taak, en Groepintegrasie-sosiaal. Prakties beduidende verskille is waargeneem vir vyf van die 96 speelposisie-vergelykings. Middelveldspelers het hoër tellings behaal as verdedigers en voorspelers op die beheer-subskaal van die SMTQ. Voorspelers het beter tellings aangeteken as middelveldspelers op die GEQ subskaal groepintegrasie-taak; terwyl doelwagters hoër tellings as middelveldspelers op die subskaal groepintegrasie-taak aangeteken het. Daar was ’n verskil in die konstantheid-subskaal van die SMTQ waar verdedigers beter as middelveldspelers gevaar het. Daar was geen beduidende verskille tussen speelposisies rakend enige van die sielkundige vaardighede nie. Die oorkoepelende bevindinge dui daarop dat op die ontwikkelingsvlak van die studiesteekproef, spankohesie, en ander prestasiedimensies moontlik die sleutel bevat vir verhoogde prestasie-uitkomste van sokkerspanne. Verder ondersteun die resultate die algemene aanname dat daar ’n verband bestaan tussen speelposisies in spansportsoorte en verskeie sielkundige veranderlikes.
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Baker, Frank W. Jr. "Mental Toughness: Effect on Factors Associated with Injury and Illness in Adolescent Athletes." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1407271208.
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Pattison, Stuart. "The development and implementation of a mental toughness training programme for young cricketers." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002546.
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Modern research being conducted on Mental Toughness is now shifting away from efforts aimed at developing definitions for the construct and instead moving toward efforts at understanding its development. This particular research study focuses on the development and implementation of a Mental Toughness programme designed specifically for, and tailored exclusively to, the needs of schoolboy cricket at Kingswood College in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. The programme development was an intricate process and the research procedure was guided by the Organisational Development Process model. Data from a focus group as well as various individual interviews were integrated with currently existing Mental Toughness literature and theory to devise this particular Mental Toughness programme. The programme entails educating the athletes on six specific mental skills and incorporates elements of practical application as well as awareness of the importance and influence of Mental Toughness and mental training in a sporting sphere. The programme took the form of mental skills workshops held over a three week period. An analysis was conducted post-programme to document the experience of the athletes as a result of exposure to the programme. Results drawn from the array of analysis procedures were used to help identify the level of success of the Mental Toughness intervention as well as help validify current Mental Toughness models. In addition to highlighting the benefits as a result of the programme experience, various recommendations were drawn in order to shed light on the programme limitations and assist future researchers with understanding the intricacies behind better and more efficient programme implementation.
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Flannery, Nicholas Martin. "Investigating the Convergent, Discriminant, and Predictive Validity of the Mental Toughness Situational Judgment Test." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/99062.
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This study investigated the validity of scores of a workplace-based measure of mental toughness, the Mental Toughness Situational Judgment Test (MTSJT). The goal of the study was to determine if MTSJT scores predicted supervisor ratings 1) differentially compared to other measures of mental toughness, grit, and resilience, and 2) incrementally beyond cognitive ability and conscientiousness. Further, two machine learning algorithms – elastic nets and random forests – were used to model predictions at both the item and scale level. MTJST scores provided the most accurate predictions overall when model at the item level via a random forest approach. The MTSJT was the only measure to consistently provide incremental validity when predicting supervisor ratings. The results further emphasize the growing importance of both mental toughness and machine learning algorithms to industrial/organizational psychologists.Doctor of Philosophy
The study investigated whether the Mental Toughness Situational Judgment Test (MTSJT)– a measure of mental toughness directly in the workplace, could predict employees' supervisor ratings. Further, the study aimed to understand if the MTSJT was a better predictor than other measures of mental toughness, grit, resilience, intelligence, and conscientiousness. The study used machine learning algorithms to generate predictive models using both question-level scores and scale-level scores. The results suggested that the MTSJT scores predicted supervisor ratings at both the question and scale level using a random forest model. Further, the MTJST was a better predictor than most other measures included in the study. The results emphasize the growing importance of both mental toughness and machine learning algorithms to industrial/organizational psychologists.
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Hoover, Andrea Jane. "Keys to Athletic Success: A Study of Student-athletes’ and Coaches’ Views on Mental Toughness." Marietta College / OhioLINK, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=marietta1147285443.
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Carter, Leeja. "RUNNING IN THE ZONE: MENTAL TOUGHNESS, IMAGERY, AND FLOW IN FIRST TIME MARATHON RUNNERS." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2013. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/218210.
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KinesiologyPh.D.
Participants were 20 (14 females and 6 males) first-time marathon runners registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, IL on October 7th, 2013. Participants were recruited for the purpose of exploring the effects of a 4-week individualized imagery training program on mental toughness and flow and asked to complete a demographics survey, the Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ), the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ), Short Flow States Scale-2 (Short FSS-2), Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and a Pre-Imagery Training Interview and then be divided into an experimental and control group (prior to running the marathon). Participants in the experimental group received a modified copy of a Chicago marathon training video and a tailored 10-15 minute imagery training session while participants in the control group received only the Chicago marathon training video. Next, participants ran in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and, after the race, met with the researcher to complete the SIQ, Short FSS-2, SMTQ, and a post-imagery interview. Several themes emerged concerning the runners' understanding of the marathon course, race concerns, race goals, and race strategies at pretest as well as both positive and negative experiences during the marathon and their methods for coping and using the imagery during the marathon (reported at posttest). The experimental group had a moderate positive correlation between the imagery subscales of cognitive general (CG) and motivational-general mastery (MG-M) and mental toughness (MT) (r(6) = .761 and r(6)= .685, p < .05 respectively). There was a moderate positive correlation between the imagery subscales of CG and MG-M and flow (r(6) = .719 and r(6) = .783, p < .05 respectively). This would indicate that individuals high in using imagery as a means to goal set as well as master the course tended to have high flow scores. Cognitive specific (CS), motivational specific (MS), and motivational-general arousal (MG-A) had a small, non-significant correlation with MT (r(6) = .492, r(6) = .321, r(6) = .341, p < .05) and a moderate relationship with flow (r(6) = .522, r(6) = .593, r(6) = .529, p < .05). There is a high positive relationship between flow and MT (r(6) = .906, p < .05), indicating that individuals who experienced high levels of flow also experienced high levels of MT. Control group participants had a moderate inverse relationship between CG and MT (r(4) = -.659, p < .05) and moderate positive relationships between CG, MS, and MG-A and flow (r(4) = .662, r(4) = .710, and r(4) = .552, p < .05 respectively) within control participants. For the control participants, flow and MT were not found to have a significant relationship (r(4) = .310, p < .05); these results are consistent with the control participants' imagery, flow, and MT scores suggesting that flow did not have any effect on MT. Overall, the tailored imagery script training was found to be helpful for both flow and mental toughness. Recommendations for future research should focus on developing a 6-week psychological skills training program for first time marathon runners and developing research that focuses on periodizing imagery to coincide with runners' marathon training programs.
Temple University--Theses
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Crampton, Simon. "The construct of mental toughness : the development and validation of a new conceptualisation and measure." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2015. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/the-construct-of-mental-toughness(d9d56611-1326-4bb5-bbcd-9bb286d152d0).html.
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This thesis examined issues pertaining to the conceptualisation of mental toughness in sport and its measurement through four central studies. Study 1 systematically identified and examined the mental toughness literature and revealed knowledge appeared limited in that popular definitions were predominantly outcome focused, characteristics were largely descriptive, and currently no psychometrically sound objective measure of mental toughness was available. Given the lack of published evidence supporting the psychometric properties of the most widely used, yet unsubstantiated measure of mental toughness, an examination of the factorial validity of the MTQ48 was advocated. As a result, Study 2 evaluated the psychometric properties of the MTQ48 using a construct validity approach. Overall results could not provide support for the hypothesised factor structures of the MTQ48, supporting concerns over the psychometric reliability and validity of the measure. In pursuit of a new definition and conceptualisation of mental toughness, a metainterpretation approach was adopted in Study 3 designed to systematically analyse and synthesize the current mental toughness literature. A new definition of mental toughness was presented alongside eight conceptually distinct components of mental toughness. In an attempt to move beyond description towards a more theoretical conceptualisation, a multidimensional model of mental toughness was also proposed that reflected the complexity of the concept. In order to operationalise the new conceptualisation, Study 4 developed a new measure of mental toughness – the Sport Mental Toughness Profiler (SMTP). Specifically, two qualitative approaches and two quantitative approaches involving within-network and between-network examinations were conducted. Separate sample CFA’s confirmed the factor structure with further support provided by convergent and divergent examinations alongside follow-up internal-reliability analysis, test-retest and multisource ratings. The influence of age, gender, sport-type (individual vs team) and playing level (elite vs sub-elite) on mental toughness was also examined. Whilst replication and extension was advocated, the results of this study served to provide preliminary support for the SMTP as a valid measure of mental toughness for use within a sport context across levels of competition. The thesis concludes with a summary of key findings, an overview of current findings to align the thesis with contemporary research, an overview of the strengths and limitations of the thesis, and a discussion of the implications for theory, practice and future research.
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Molchansky, Sheila 1975. "Tradução e adaptação transcultural do Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire para a língua portuguesa do Brasil." [s.n.], 2014. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/274670.
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Orientador: Edison DuarteDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Física
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T14:06:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Molchansky_Sheila_M.pdf: 1423952 bytes, checksum: bbfb01b4adc42eb30dcbf44955e821b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014
Resumo: Compreender como componentes psicológicos podem gerar diferenças no rendimento, principalmente diante de esportes de alto rendimento, tem sido fundamental para que novas propostas e protocolos de atuação tática e técnica sejam adequadas aos treinos e periodizações esportivas. Ainda que seja notável o aumento de Psicólogos trabalhando no cenário esportivo, não se tem, na mesma constante, a construção de instrumentos padronizados que visam avaliar como componentes psicológicos influenciam e são influenciados pelo rendimento esportivo de atletas. Para tal, o objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e adaptar transculturalmente para a língua portuguesa do Brasil o Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Como metodologia, utilizamos os passos propostos pelo Guideline de Beaton, Bombardier e Guillemin compostos por tradução, retrotradução, síntese de traduções e análise pelo comitê de peritos. Ao final deste processo chegamos à versão final do instrumento intitulado Questionário de Vigor Mental no Esporte. Por fim, realizamos um pré-teste e análise final do instrumento e concluímos que o mesmo poderá ser utilizado no meio esportivo, demostrando ser adequado à realidade brasileira
Abstract: Understanding how psychological components can make performance differences , mainly on high- performance sports , has been important for new proposals, tactical and technical protocols been appropriate for sports training and periodization . Although it is remarkable the increase of psychologists working at the sports areas, does not have, at the same constant, the construction of standardized instruments designed to assess how psychological components influence and are influenced by the sports performance athletes . To this end, the aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt to Brazil¿s Portuguese, the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). As methodology, we used the steps proposed by the Guideline of Beaton , Bombardier and Guillemin composed of translation , back translation, translations of synthesis and analysis by the expert committee. At the end of this process we come to the final version of the instrument called Questionário de Vigor Mental no Esporte. At least, we conducted a pretest and final analysis and concluded that it may be used in sports, demonstrating be adjusted to the Brazilian reality.
Mestrado
Atividade Fisica, Adaptação e Saude
Mestra em Educação Física
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Alqallaf, Ahmad Salman. "Examining the interactive effects of mental toughness, self-regulated training behaviors, and personality in swimming." Thesis, Bangor University, 2016. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/examining-the-interactive-effects-of-mental-toughness-selfregulated-training-behaviors-and-personality-in-swimming(8649a3b5-feb8-4731-863e-de0603df40b5).html.
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The thesis contains five chapters that attempt to extend our understanding of Mental Toughness (MT) in relation to personality, swimming performance, training behaviours and MT behaviours. The thesis focuses predominantly on swimming environments, which can be very stressful and often require athletes to train long hours and perform under intense pressure. As such, it provides a useful context to investigate MT. Chapter 1 critically reviews some of the previous MT research in the domains of qualitative research and quantitative research. The Chapter introduces personality as a possible trait explanation of MT and proposes that, even though training behaviours has been indicated as an important source of MT, it is yet relatively unexplored. The Chapter then sets out a series of questions upon which the thesis is based. Chapter 2 focused on three aims. First, an informant rating of MT in swimming was developed (Coach Rated MT). Second, to replicate previous findings (Hardy, Bell, & Beattie, 2014), revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (McNaughton & Gray, 2000) was used to predict coach rated MT behaviour. Our findings supported that of Hardy et al. (2014), that is, when reward sensitivity is low, increasing levels of punishment sensitivity positively related to MT behaviour; but when reward sensitivity was high, increasing levels of punishment sensitivity negatively relate to MT behaviour. Third, the thesis set out to investigate whether punishment and reward sensitivities could actually predict swimming performance. Our findings showed there was a significant punishment sensitivity and reward sensitivity interaction. That is, when reward sensitivity was low, as punishment sensitivity increased, swimming times improved. However, with high reward sensitivity as punishment sensitivity increased, swimming times reduced. However, findings showed that there was no significant correlation between coach assessed MT and actual swimming performance. 6 Chapter 3 examined the mediating role of training behaviours on self-report MT and MT behaviour in swimming. In this chapter swimmers completed three self-report MT measurements; the Psychological Performance Inventory-Alternative (PPI-A; Golby, Sheard, & van Wersch, 2007); the Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ; Sheard, Golby, Wersch, 2009); and the Mental Toughness Index (MTI; Gucciardi, Hanton, Gordon, Mallett, &Temby, 2014). Swimmers and coaches also completed a measure of Self-Regulated Training Behaviours (SRTB) and the coach completed the Swimming MT Inventory (SMTI) to assess MT behaviour. Findings supported our hypothesis that self-regulated training behaviours (coach and self-rated) had a positive relationship with coach and self-rated MT. Further, training behaviours mediated the relationship between self-report MT and coach rated MT behaviour. Chapter 4, examined three main personality profiles of psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism in relation to MT and training behaviours. To assess the swimmer’s personality profiles we utilized the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire–Revised Short version (EPQR-S; Eysenck, Eysenck, & Barrett, 1985). Coaches completed the MT behaviour measure (CRTB) and the Quality of Training Inventory consisting of distractibility and coping with adversity. Findings revealed that swimmers characterized by high levels of both psychoticism and MT skills displayed higher levels of training and MT behaviours. That is, self-rated MT only had a positive relationship with training and MT behaviour when psychoticism was high. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis. More specifically, the chapter provides a summary and integrated discussion of the thesis findings, implications, limitations, strengths and avenues for future research.
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Fawcett, Thomas. "An investigation into the perceptions of mental toughness of adventurers/explorers, elite athletes and elite coaches." Thesis, Northumbria University, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.428862.
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Rosmith, Eric S. "Mental Toughness Training for Police Officers: the Impact of a Stress Inoculation Program on Police Stress." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2013. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc500044/.
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This study examined the impact that a stress inoculation training (SIT) program had on a small-sized city police department in the southwestern U.S. Specifically, the aim of this study was to investigate how a SIT program impacted police officer self-reported levels of organizational stress, operational stress, perceived life stress, and mood states. All 24 participants were recruited from a population of 132 sworn, active duty police officers and were pre-tested through administration of a questionnaire packet containing a host of measures related to demographics, organizational stressors, operational stressors, general life stressors, and mood states. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of the following treatment conditions: (1) delayed training; (2) SIT program; and (3) SIT plus booster program. On completion of the SIT program, members of each of the treatment conditions were re-assessed through the administration of the aforementioned questionnaire packet. Subsequent to conducting the booster sessions, participants from each treatment condition took part in a second, and final, follow-up assessment. Results suggested that organizational stress was decreased for participants in the SIT program, particularly at follow-up. Results also suggested that energy (i.e., vigor) was increased for participants in the SIT plus booster program at both post-test and follow-up. Furthermore, results suggested that there was a statistically significant decrease in perceived life stress at both post-test and follow-up, yet statistically analysis was unable to tease out which group contributed to this significance. These findings support the efficacy of an SIT program in assisting police officers combat organizational stressors.
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Beasley, Vista. "Social identity, mental toughness, and behavioural intentions as antecedents of overuse injury pain in physical activity contexts." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/28596.
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Psychological factors specific to overuse injury pain in physical activity contexts were explored within a social identity theoretical framework. Study 1 involved development of a method for designating overuse injury pain occurrence of hikers (N = 751), along with exploration of relationships between psychological measures, overuse injury pain occurrence, and effort levels. The findings of this cross-sectional, mixed-methods investigation revealed that social identification, social identity content, and mental toughness differentiated hikers who incurred overuse injury pain or selected a higher-effort behaviour from those who did not. From qualitative analysis, several social identity constructs (i.e., group member's presence, in-group status, social creativity, additional social identity content) emerged as contributors to overuse injury occurrence. The focus of Study 2 was a prospective examination of the aforementioned psychological factors in relation to overuse injury severity of hikers (N = 283). Additionally, the Test of Intentions to Reduce Effort (TIRE) was developed to identify individuals with susceptibility to higher overuse injury severity. Results provided evidence of factorial, construct, and predictive validity of TIRE factor scores. TIRE factors and social identity content significantly predicted higher severity of hikers' overuse injury pain. Mental toughness scores moderated the relationship between social identification and overuse injury severity. Study 3 consisted of a qualitative examination of social identity mechanisms of overuse injury pain in a physical activity context, CrossFit®, involving the presence of group leaders, and in which group members view each other. Findings revealed mechanisms pertaining to social identity content, in-group status, and social threats. Overall, the findings support a new means for assessing overuse injury occurrence and susceptibility to higher overuse injury severity, whilst demonstrating the potential applicability of social identity theory to the study of overuse injury. Knowledge gained may ultimately aid development of interventions to reduce overuse injury occurrence and severity of physical activity participants.
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Reese, Robert C. Jr. "The Impact of a Mental Skills Training Program for Enhanced Performance on a Varsity Intercollegiate Volleyball Team: A Case Study Program Evaluation of an Educational Intervention." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29857.
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The purpose of this case study was to answer 5 primary questions in order to determine the impact (efficacy, efficiency, and value) of the educational intervention known as the mental skills training program (MSTP) as implemented with an NCAA Division I volleyball team. The primary evaluation questions are (1) Was individual and/or team performance enhanced during the season? (2) How did the intervention of the MSTP impact individual and team mental toughness? (3) How did the intervention of the MSTP impact team communication and team chemistry? (4) How did the coaches and student-athletes view the investment of time and effort (value/worth)? (5) Was the program delivered effectively and efficiently?
The core mental skills that comprise the MSTP are goal setting, visualization, feelazation, energy management, and effective thinking which when integrated encourage mental toughness. The program evaluation contains an instructional design (ID) that incorporated a flexible curriculum to meet the weekly needs of the team. A modified Gerlach and Ely (1980) ID model is utilized to direct the design process and also as a prescriptive evaluation guide.
The evaluation utilized quantitative instruments including surveys, questionnaires, and assessments of the effectiveness and efficiency of delivery by the mental skills trainer. Qualitative data includes interviews and field notes consisting of observations, member checks, and peer debriefing.
The results of the data indicate individual performance and mental toughness were enhanced; team performance and mental toughness may have been improved. Team chemistry was enhanced while team communication was not. The program was considered valuable and worthwhile and was delivered effectively and efficiently. The decision components of the program yielded an 84.69% positive program evaluation rating.
In discussion of these results, team communication may be improved with a greater emphasis on teambuilding early in the program. Gains in mental toughness exceeded expectations, and a foothold has been established for future research in this area. Regarding team performance, expanding categories in survey instruments may yield a more positive evaluation. Finally, program evaluation may provide a viable research vehicle for applied sport psychology to demonstrate the efficacy of mental skills training for performance enhancement.Ph. D.
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Beck, Nicholas M. "The Relations Between Perceived Parent, Coach, and Peer Created Motivational Climates, Goal Orientations, and Mental Toughness in High School Varsity Athletes." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2014. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700098/.
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Determining the factors that contribute to mental toughness development in athletes has become a focus for researchers as coaches, athletes, and others extol its influence on performance success. In this study we examined a model of mental toughness development based on achievement goal theory, assessing the relations between motivational climates, goal orientations, and mental toughness. Five hundred ninety-nine varsity athletes, representing 13 different sports from six different high schools in a southwestern United States school district, participated in the study. Athletes completed self-report measures assessing parent, peer, and coach motivational climates, goal orientations, and their mental toughness. Initially, I examined the measurement model and found it fit the data well both in the exploratory (SRMR = .06; CFI = .94) and confirmatory (SRMR = .06; CFI = .95) samples. Second, the structural model was examined and found to fit the data well in both the exploratory (SRMR = .08; CFI = .93) and confirmatory samples (SRMR = .07, CFI = .95). Parent task-involving climate, (β = .55; p < .05) and coach task-involving climate (β = .32; p < .05), but not peer task-involving climate (β = .05), were associated with task goal orientation (R2 = .57). Ego goal orientation (R2 = .32) was explained by peer ego-involving climate (β = .15; p < .05), parent ego-involving climate (β = .39; p < .05), and coach ego-involving climate (β = .16; p < .05). Finally, only task goal orientation (β = .75; p < .05) was related to the athletes’ mental toughness (R2 = .56); the ego goal orientation pathway was not significant (β = .04). These results speak to the potential positive influence of parents and coaches on athletes’ mental toughness through their endorsement of task-involving messages and pursuits leading to the development of a task goal orientation.
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Coertzen, Marlé. "The development and implementation of a psychoeducational programme: a case study on mental toughness in a novice triathlete." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63010.
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As an academic and applied discipline, sport psychology is interested in identifying, understanding, measuring and developing the various mental constructs that interact with physical factors, aiming to produce optimum performance and enhance athletes’ experience of sport participation. The programmes developed within sport psychology are not only applicable to sport, but have applicability within other areas, such as the performing arts, business and professions that are considered high risk, such as the military. Using a mixed methods approach and a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques, the goal of this research was to document the process of developing and implementing a psychoeducational mental toughness programme and to evaluate the programme through exploring the participant’s subjective experience of such a programme. The aim of the research was to contribute to the existing literature on mental toughness programmes. This was attained through administering the Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) and a semi-structured interview, which informed the development and implementation of a psychoeducational mental toughness programme relative to the idiosyncrasies of the participant and grounded in strengths-based approaches to mental toughness development. Results were obtained based on post-implementation data collected through a second administration of the SMTQ and a semi-structured interview. The participant experienced the programme as positive and results were indicative of changes in his experiences of self-confidence and control, related to the global themes of mindset, flexibility and mindfulness.
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Steele, Gale Ivan. "Mental toughness in cricket." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/23775.
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Mental toughness is accepted to be an important component of sporting performance, especially so in the domain of cricket. It has been called many names, such as Big Match Temperament, bottle, and mettle and it is widely believed that it plays a role in how successful a cricketer may be, although very difficult to define and explain. James Loehr described it as one’s ability to consistently perform to the upper limit of your talent and skill and numerous researchers have since tried to define the construct based on more empirical research. This research project consists of three articles on mental toughness. The first focuses on the consideration of extra-personal influences on the development and implementation of mental toughness programmes. The second focuses on examining the psychometric properties of the paper-and-pencil versions of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) and the Psychological Performance Inventory-Alternative (PPI-A). The third examines the differences in the demographic characteristics of a sample of cricketers on the online versions of the SMTQ and the PPI-A. The results suggest that extra-personal influences are exceptionally important in the development and implementation of mental toughness programmes for school level cricketers, especially motivational climate and social support. While the PPI-A and the SMTQ displayed some promising psychometric properties in the current study, researchers should apply these mental toughness inventories with circumspection, taking into account questions regarding dimensionality, item formulation and variation in sample characteristics (e.g., age and sporting code), until more research can be conducted using these inventories with larger and more varied samples and the understanding of the mental toughness construct improves. The examination of the demographic differences on scores of the SMTQ and PPI-A revealed inconclusive results on age, sex, and ethnicity, while competitive level was the only distinguishing characteristic in which respondents at high levels produced higher mental toughness scores. The three studies comprising this “by articles” format PHD dissertation will be referred to as Article 1, Article 2, and Article 3 and can be found in Chapters, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.Psychology
D.Phil. (Psychology)
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Middleton, Simon C., University of Western Sydney, College of Arts, and School of Psychology. "Mental toughness : conceptualisation and measurement." 2007. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/18959.
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Major challenges facing sport psychology researchers, practitioners, coaches, and athletes include understanding mental toughness and knowing how to train for it. Athletes and coaches have long identified mental toughness as an important attribute for performance. Practitioners have devised training approaches for mental toughness—often based on anecdotal notions of what mental toughness is and how it should be developed. The research available on mental toughness is scarce, with only a few recent but limited advances. Fundamental to the challenge of understanding and training mental toughness, there is a critical need for research to develop a model of mental toughness that is not based on anecdote, but rather on sound research methods and theoretical underpinnings. Following on from conceptualisation, there is a need to develop an instrument to measure mental toughness. Taken together, a conceptual model and a measurement approach are the tools needed by researchers to develop and test mental toughness training programs. The purpose of this thesis was to address some of these issues by capitalising on the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods to: (a) critically examine a popular test of mental toughness; (b) determine specific characteristics of mental toughness and understand the interrelationship between those characteristics; (c) develop a model of mental toughness that draws together specific characteristics; (d) produce a mental toughness definition; (e) develop the Mental Toughness Inventory, a robust and valid instrument that demonstrates a sound factor structure, strong reliabilities, and invariance across gender, age, and level of competition (i.e., demonstrating within-network validity); and (f) determine the relative congruence between scores on the Mental Toughness Inventory and theoretically related constructs (i.e., demonstrating between-network validity). In line with these aims, Study 1 evaluated the psychometric properties of an existing, popular, and yet unsubstantiated test of mental toughness—the Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI). Given the breadth and depth of mental toughness as evidenced by the literature, the PPI was not expected to provide a reasonable model. Instead, the study was intended to inform the researcher on the psychometric strengths of the PPI and guide the development of a new measure of mental toughness throughout the remainder of the thesis. The PPI was examined using both within-network and between-network validity checks and responses from 263 student-athletes in Years 7–12 (12 to 19 years of age). Study 2 was a qualitative study that examined the interview data of over 30 elite sportspeople to determine the characteristics of mental toughness. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model and definition of mental toughness that draws together all the characteristics in a way that adds meaning and clarity to the concept. The purpose of Studies 3 and 4 was to construct, refine, and validate the Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI)—a measure of mental toughness emanating from the findings of Studies 1 and 2. Studies 3 and 4 critically examined the construct validity of the MTI using both within-network and between-network validation on the basis of responses from institution-based athletes (from sports programs such as those run by the Australian Institute of Sport) and school-based athletes (from a selective sports high school). Furthermore, Studies 3 and 4 provided the scope to examine invariance of the mental toughness factor structure across groups, group mean-level differences, and interaction effects. The results of Study 1 provided a number of insights into the status of the PPI, raised an interesting conundrum regarding the interface between conceptualisation and instrumentation, and provided guidance for instrument development that would become the empirical basis of subsequent quantitative studies. The qualitative results of Study 2 unearthed a multidimensional model of mental toughness, containing 12 first-order factors each of which contribute to a higher order (or Global) mental toughness factor. The 12 mental toughness characteristics identified are: self-efficacy, potential, mental self-concept, value, personal bests, commitment, stress minimisation, perseverance, positive comparisons, positivity, task familiarity, and task focus. Study 3 involved the construction of the Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI), with results revealing excellent validity from a within-network perspective (including confirmatory factor analysis, goodness of fit, internal reliability, and invariance across groups). Study 4 results revealed that MTI factors correlated more strongly with theoretically-related concepts and less strongly with unrelated concepts—thus demonstrating between-network validity (convergent and discriminant). Study 4 also revealed a number of significant main effects of age (favouring older athletes), gender (favouring male athletes) and group (a contextual effect where institution-based athletes rate themselves more ―rigorously relative to strong contextual effects, which need to be carefully considered when assessing and developing mental toughness. For sporting organisations, this research points to a number of things that can be done at an institutional level—particularly in relation to creating an environment that is most likely to facilitate the positive development of various components of mental toughness. Finally, for research and continued theorising about mental toughness, the findings from this thesis support viewing mental toughness as a combination of cognitive, behavioural, and emotive processes that work together in combating adversity or pressure. Taken together, the conceptualising and empirical works conducted in this study are proposed to advance the field of research—creating opportunities to study the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance mental toughness. Furthermore, the results provide practitioners, coaches, and athletes with a concrete understanding of mental toughness such that they are better equipped to devise training approaches and to handle pressure and adversity en route to athletic success.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Tibbert, Stephanie Jane. "Mental toughness and overtraining behaviours." Thesis, 2013. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/24441/.
Full textAbstract:
The idea of mental toughness (MT) is bewitching. The construct is consistently associated with success and being able to overcome great difficulties while demonstrating dogged perseverance regardless of adversity (Gucciardi, Gordon, & Dimmock, 2008; Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2002). It is no wonder sport psychology researchers strive to understand how to develop and display MT. The increase in published research in this topic attests to the popularity of becoming mentally tough. A clear understanding of MT, what it does and does not enable athletes to do, however, has not yet arrived. The purpose of this thesis was to gain an understanding of MT, with specific attention paid to the relationship with stress/recovery imbalance (SRI).
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Wang, Jing-Ting, and 王靖婷. "Study of Trait Mental Toughness for Sport and Pre-competition State Mental Toughness of Volleyball Players." Thesis, 2019. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/vfz3cy.
Full textAbstract:
碩士臺北市立大學
競技運動訓練研究所
107
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the difference and relationship between trait mental toughness and pre-competition state mental toughness of collegiate level one volleyball players. Methods: Participants were 297 male and female collegiate level one volleyball players with the mean age of 20.59 2.13 years old. Demographic information, Trait Mental Toughness Inventory for Sport, and Pre-competition State Mental Toughness Inventory were administered to all participants. Results: 1. Females had better anti-pressure ability than males, and males had better endurance for pain than females. 2. Athletes with more years of training had better positive effort, anti-pressure ability, and state mental toughness than athletes with less years of training. 3. Athletes with more years of position experience had better anti-pressure ability and state mental toughness than athletes with less years of position experience. 4. Libero had better anti-pressure ability than spiker. 5. Positive effort, endurance for pain, and anti-pressure ability were found to have positive correlation with state mental toughness. Conclusion: Years of volleyball training was found to be critical to mental toughness of athletes. Coaches and trainers could apply mental toughness training to enhance competitiveness of volleyball players.
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HUANG, Xing-Ying, and 黃馨瑩. "Development of Sport Mental Toughness Scale." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/xmu5hm.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立嘉義大學
輔導與諮商學系研究所
106
The research was aimed at developing a mental toughness scale for athletes that appropriate to athlete in Taiwan. This research was based on the research of Chung-Ju Huang(2004) which related to sport mental toughness evaluation. Based on literature of mental toughness development, researcher made factors for “Sport Mental Toughness Scale”. There were 1097 valid subjects selected from stratified random sampling. The statistic methods applied to this research were descriptive statitics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for identifying the item qualities of test, and the reliability and validity. The findings in this research were as follows: 1. There were 27 questions in SMTS. 3 factors were confirmed after verification, they are Self-affirmation, Transcend of Physical Fitness, Desire of Victory. 2. After tested by internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct reliability. SMTS reveal good reliability. 3. SMTS has been confirmed that it has good quality through content validity, discriminant validity, convergent validity. 4. The national norm of the original score was established based on the sex, age and sports years of athletes. 5. The results show that, overall, men were more resilient than women in sport mental toughness; Male athletes scored significantly higher on self-affirmation and desire of victory scales than women; Those over the age of 23 scored above their self-affirmative and transcend of physical fitness scores by 19 to 22 years; sport years in 6 to 10 years and 11 years above the score was significantly higher than 1 year and 1 to 5 years. According to the findings, several concrete suggestions were provided to atheles and coach or researchers for further usage.
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Turner, Aaron. "Mental toughness in an academic context: conceptualisation, the Academic Mental Toughness Inventory (AMT) and predictability of academic achievement." Thesis, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/133958.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Factors individuals can control that positively influence their life seem as important right now as they have ever been. This study explored the concept of mental toughness, which is characterised by openness to challenges and approach them as an opportunity to learn and grow. Gaps in research were identified around how mental toughness is conceptualised and whether it is best considered globally or setting specific. More specifically, if mental toughness in an academic setting is appropriately captured using an academic mental toughness (AMT) specific measurement tool and if AMT impacts academic achievement. Accordingly, this study aimed to address these gaps, to do so factor analysis, correlation analysis, reliability analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted. A convenience sample of 124 participants were recruited from the University of Adelaide Psychology first year student pool. Results indicated a multicomponent model of mental toughness an appropriate approach with three underlying factors found, these were personal responsibility and drive, positive cognition and visualisation. The AMT measurement tool was valid and reliable, AMT factors were associated with mental well and illbeing and to some degree academic achievement and finally, AMT factors to some extent predicted academic achievement after controlling for known influential variables. Findings contribute to previous literature in the area, extend and refine the AMT specific measurement tool and highlight the appropriateness of considering mental toughness subcomponents in any intervention strategies.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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CHIU, WAN-JOU, and 邱婉柔. "Mental Toughness for Sport of Cheerleading Players." Thesis, 2016. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/73878890244608604226.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立屏東大學
體育學系碩士班
104
The main purpose of this research is to investigate in depth in mental toughness of cheerleading players in high school in threefold including stress resistant, aggression and endurance of pain; to discuss the varied factors effecting mental conditions in players including sex, age, length of participation, groups and competition results. Subjects are participants of cheerleading competition from senior high school (N=326, age range from 15-20). Results are analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent samples T-test and Pearson’s product-moment correlation. The results of this study are as follows: 1.The statistics of mental toughness of participants in cheerleading match of senior high students. Simultaneously, the result of endurance of pain shows the best. 2.Different sex groups show distinct performance on stress resistant–males perform better than their female counterparts; however, when it turns to endurance of pain, aggression and mental toughness, both sexes show almost the same result. 3.Different age group shows substantial difference in endurance of pain,stress resistant, aggression and mental toughness –senior players are superior than junior players. 4.Different length of participation illustrates distinct results in endurance of pain, aggression and mental toughness. Players participating in games over 1 year shows greater result in in endurance of pain, aggression and mental strength than those under 1 year. 5.Different levels of players show difference in endurance of pain. Group A shows higher endurance than Group B. However, the performance of stress resistant, aggression and mental toughness shows no differences. 6.Different performance of players shows distinctions on endurance of pain. The top three players show better result than other players. Yet both groups show the same result in stress resistant, aggression and mental toughness.