The mediating role of mental toughness in sport

AIM:<br />We conducted two studies that examined different models, which included mental toughness and psychological constructs that have been found to be related to this construct.<br />METHODS:<br />In Study 1, 531 athletes completed measures of mental toughness, resilience, and emotional intelligence. In Study 2, 522 athletes completed measures of mental toughness, sport motivation, and self-efficacy.<br />RESULTS:<br />There were positive paths between the constructs in the model, which were mediated by mental toughness in Study 1. Further, there was a positive path between mental toughness and self-efficacy, but negative paths with introjected regulation and amotivation in Study 2.<br />CONCLUSION:<br />This two study paper suggests that it might also be the presence of constructs such as resilience, emotional intelligence, motivation, and/or self-efficacy that enable mentally tough individuals to excel under stressful circumstances rather than just coping.