The Role of Mental Toughness, Sport Imagery and Anxiety in Athletic Performance: Structural Equation Modelling Analysis

Abstract

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.