The role of mental toughness, sport imagery and anxiety in athletic performance

Structural equation modelling analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID15699059
AuthorsGönül Tekkurşun Demir (0000-0002-2451-5194, Abu Dhabi University), Sevinç NAMLI (0000-0003-0958-6792, Erzurum Technical University), Ergün Çakır (0000-0001-5895-5297, Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi), Batuhan BATU (0000-0003-0157-1027, Kafkas University), Fatih Ateş (0009-0000-5510-2694, Erzurum Technical University), Eda Yılmaz (0000-0003-4832-3792, Erzurum Technical University), Burcu Güvendi (0000-0002-6170-9107, Yalova University), Selda Kocamaz Adaş (0000-0002-7368-9780, Istanbul University), Musab Çağın (0000-0001-8882-5506, Gazi University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume13
Issue1
Pages869-869
Publication date2025-08-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2050-7283 • E-ISSN: 2050-7283
PublisherBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s40359-025-03250-6
PMID40764935
OpenAlexW4412976735
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited62

Mental toughness (MT), anxiety, and sport imagery (SI) are characteristics that are effective in the ups and downs of athletes' lives. The fact that these three characteristics, which have a direct effect on the performance of athletes (especially elite athletes), have not been examined by structural equation modeling in the literature to the best of our knowledge has led to the need for this study. The present study investigates the relationship between MT, anxiety levels, and SI skills among elite athletes in the 19-26 age group. A total of 407 elite athletes (143 females and 264 males) actively competing participated in the study, which was conducted within the framework of a correlational research model. Data were collected using the Mental Toughness Scale (MTS), the Sports Imagery Inventory (SII) and Anxiety subscale of the Emotion in Sport Scale (ESS). The theoretical model proposed to examine the effects of MT on SI and anxiety was tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). It was found that the fit indices of the model established in the study gave a good fit, and the coefficients obtained were statistically significant (p <.05). The study revealed that athletes with higher MT had lower levels of anxiety and anxiety had a negative effect on SI skills (p <.05). Moreover, athletes with higher MT show high levels of SI abilities (p <.05). The present study suggests that training programs aimed at improving SI skills may also contribute to the development of MT

Anxiety · Athletes · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Mental image · Mental toughness · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Psychological research · Sport Psychology · Statistics · Structural equation modeling · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance · Sports Performance and Training

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