Relationships between Mental Toughness with Academic and Sport Performance in Athletic Students: Mediating Role of Mindfulness and Self-efficacy

Introduction: Researchers have expressed significant concern regarding the academic and sport achievements of student athletes.
Objective: This study seeks to explore the influence of mindfulness and self-efficacy on the connection between mental toughness and the performance of student athletes in both academic and athletic contexts.
Methods: This study is classified as descriptive-correlation research. A total of 180 male athletic students were selected as participants. The Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire, the Charbonneau Athlete Performance Questionnaire, the academic average, the Sports Mindfulness Questionnaire, and Sherer's general self-efficacy scale were used for measuring mental toughness, academic performance, sport performance, mindfulness, and self-efficacy, respectively. The structural equation modeling technique was employed for data analysis.
Results: The levels of mental toughness, academic achievement, athletic performance, mindfulness, and self-efficacy exceeded the average benchmarks. The findings demonstrated a significant direct correlation between mental toughness and both academic and athletic performance, as well as mindfulness and self-efficacy (P<0.001). Furthermore, mindfulness and self-efficacy were found to have a direct and significant relationship with both academic and athletic performance (P<0.001). Additionally, mindfulness and self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between mental toughness with academic and athletic performance (P<0.001). The model fit results suggest that the research model exhibits a good fit.
Conclusion: Athletes who display significant mental resilience, both during training and in competitive environments, clearly engage in behaviors that reduce the effects of competition-related stressors. The, it is beneficial for officials and coaches to foster strong relationships with student athletes, alongside offering technical and tactical instruction.