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Adolescent performers' perspectives on mental toughness and its development: The utility of the Bioecological Model
Mahoney, John William Gucciardi, Daniel F. Mallett, Cliff J. Ntoumanis, Nikos
Mahoney, John William
Gucciardi, Daniel F.
Mallett, Cliff J.
Ntoumanis, Nikos
Abstract
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.
Keywords
performance contexts, human potential, positive youth development
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
Sport Psychologist
Book
Volume
28
Issue
3
Page Range
233-244
Article Number
ACU Department
Centre for Education and Innovation
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Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled