TY - JOUR
T1 - Adolescent performers' perspectives on mental toughness and its development
T2 - The utility of the bioecological model
AU - Mahoney, John W.
AU - Gucciardi, Daniel F.
AU - Mallett, Clifford J.
AU - Ntoumanis, Nikos
PY - 2014/9
Y1 - 2014/9
N2 - In light of the extant literature, the aim of the current study was to compare adolescents' perspectives on mental toughness and its development across performance contexts, and to explore if such perspectives align with Bronfenbrenner's (2001) bioecological model. Eighteen mentally tough adolescents (9 boys, 9 girls, Mage = 15.6 years) from three performance contexts (i.e., sport, academia, and music) participated in focus groups, 7 of whom also participated in follow-up one-to-one interviews. Inductive analyses revealed that mental toughness was conceptualized by 9 personal characteristics, and that while similar across performance contexts, some difference between previous mental toughness conceptualization and the current study existed. Analyses also revealed that mental toughness development was predicated on significant others, supportive social processes, critical incidents, and curiosity. These findings resonated with the properties of the bioecological model. Future research into how bioecological factors combine to facilitate mental toughness development during critical stages of life was suggested.
AB - In light of the extant literature, the aim of the current study was to compare adolescents' perspectives on mental toughness and its development across performance contexts, and to explore if such perspectives align with Bronfenbrenner's (2001) bioecological model. Eighteen mentally tough adolescents (9 boys, 9 girls, Mage = 15.6 years) from three performance contexts (i.e., sport, academia, and music) participated in focus groups, 7 of whom also participated in follow-up one-to-one interviews. Inductive analyses revealed that mental toughness was conceptualized by 9 personal characteristics, and that while similar across performance contexts, some difference between previous mental toughness conceptualization and the current study existed. Analyses also revealed that mental toughness development was predicated on significant others, supportive social processes, critical incidents, and curiosity. These findings resonated with the properties of the bioecological model. Future research into how bioecological factors combine to facilitate mental toughness development during critical stages of life was suggested.
KW - Human potential
KW - Performance contexts
KW - Positive youth development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84911177263&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/tsp.2013-0050
DO - 10.1123/tsp.2013-0050
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84911177263
SN - 0888-4781
VL - 28
SP - 233
EP - 244
JO - Sport Psychologist
JF - Sport Psychologist
IS - 3
ER -