Skip to Main Content

Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology
2017. Vol. 6, no. 4, 77–83
doi:10.17759/jmfp.2017060408
ISSN: 2304-4977 (online)

Evolution of the concept of «mental strength» in foreign sport psychology

829

N.Y. Fedunina

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar

Abstract

This article discusses the stages of development of the concept of mental strength in foreign literature. It traces the evolution of approaches to understanding and study of this phenomenon from reliance on the experience of consultations and observations to development of a full qualitative and quantitative research. The article discusses the importance of this notion of positive psychology for modern sport psychology, as well as the problems associated with the lack of a generally accepted definition, valid and reliable research tools and a lack of longitudinal studies.

General Information

Keywords: mental strength, coping, psychological readiness, self-efficacy, sport.

Journal rubric: Labour Psychology and Engineering Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2017060408

For citation: Fedunina N.Y. Evolution of the concept of «mental strength» in foreign sport psychology [Elektronnyi resurs]. Sovremennaia zarubezhnaia psikhologiia = Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 2017. Vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 77–83. DOI: 10.17759/jmfp.2017060408. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Clough P.J., Earle K., Sewell D. Mental toughness: the concept and its measurement. In I. Cockerill (ed.). Solutions in Sport Psychology. London: Thomson, 2002, pp. 32—43.
  2. Clough P.J., Strycharczyk D. Developing Mental Toughness: Improving Performance, Wellbeing and Positive Behaviour in Others [Elektronnyi resurs]. London: Kogan Page Limited, 2012. 161 p. Available at: https://books.google.ru/books?id=LcQ3AAAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&hl=ru&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false (Accessed: 20.12.2017).
  3. Connaughton D. An examination of mental toughness in competitive sport [Elektronnyi resurs]: Doctoral dissertation. University of Wales Institute. Cardiff, 2008. 373 p. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10369/7391 (Accessed: 16.12.2017).
  4. Connaughton D., Hanton S., Jones G. The development and maintenance of mental toughness in the world’s best performers. The Sport Psychologist, 2010, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 168—193. doi:10.1123/tsp.24.2.168
  5. Coulter T.J., Mallett C.J., Gucciardi D.F. Understanding mental toughness in Australian soccer: Perceptions of players, parents, and coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2010, vol. 28, no. 7, pp. 699—716. doi:10.1080/02640411003734085
  6. Fourie S. An investigation into the nature of mental toughness in sport. Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of human movement science at the University of Stellenbosch. University of Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch, 2000. 154 p.
  7. Fourie S., Potgieter J.R. The nature of mental toughness in sport. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 2001, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 63—72.
  8. Mahoney J.W. et al. Implementing an Autonomy-Supportive Intervention to Develop Mental Toughness in Adolescent Rowers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2016, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 199—215. doi:10.1080/10413200.2015.1101030
  9. Jones G., Hanton S., Connaughton D. What is this thing called Mental Toughness?: An investigation with elite performers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2002, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 205—218. doi:10.1080/10413200290103509
  10. Loehr J.E. Mental Toughness Training for Sports: Achieving Athletic Excellence. Lexington, MA: Stephen Greene Press, 1986. 191 p.
  11. Loehr J.E. The New Toughness Training for Sports: Mental, Emotional, and Physical Conditioning From One of the World's Premier Sports Psychologists. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam. 1994. 204 p.
  12. Middleton C. Mental Toughness: Conceptualisation and Measurement A thesis submitted to the School of Psychology, University of Western Sydney, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology). University of Western Sydney. Sydney, 2007. 226 p.
  13. Orlick T., Partington J. Mental Links to Excellence. The Sport Psychologist, 1988, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 105—130. doi:10.1123/tsp.2.2.105
  14. Gucciardi D.F. et al. The Concept of Mental Toughness: Tests of Dimensionality, Nomological Network and Traitness. Journal of Personality, 2015, vol. 83, no. 1, pp. 26—44. doi:10.1111/jopy.12079
  15. Connaughton D. et al. The development and maintenance of mental toughness: Perceptions of elite performers. Journal of Sport Sciences, 2008, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 83—95. doi:10.1080/02640410701310958
  16. Mahoney J. et al. The motivational antecedents of the development of mental toughness: a self-determination theory perspective. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2014, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 184—197. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2014.925951
  17. Middleton S.C. et al. The Psychological Performance Inventory: is the mental toughness test tough enough? International journal of Sport Psychology, 2004, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 91—108.
  18. Thelwell R., Weston N., Greenlees I. Defining and understanding mental toughness within soccer. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2005, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 326—332. doi:10.1080/10413200500313636
  19. Bull S.J. et al. Towards an understanding of mental toughness in elite English cricketers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2005, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 209—227. doi:10.1080/10413200591010085

Information About the Authors

Natalya Y. Fedunina, PhD in Psychology, research fellow of the Centre for emergency psychological assistance, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, psychologis, Sports Center (CCU «Moskomsport»), Moscow, Russia, e-mail: natalia_fedunina@mail.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 1828
Previous month: 20
Current month: 17

Downloads

Total: 829
Previous month: 8
Current month: 12