The effect of team cohesion on mental toughness: a mediation and moderation mixed study based on COR theory

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms through which team cohesion, social support, and self-identity influence athletes’ mental toughness, grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. Methods: A total of 523 valid questionnaires were collected from athletes aged 16–35 years using the Team Cohesion Scale, Social Support Scale, Self-Identity Scale, and Mental Toughness Scale. The collected data was validated through correlation analysis, regression analysis, and other methods. Results: (1) Team cohesion has a significant positive effect on athletes’ mental toughness. (2) Team cohesion influences mental toughness both directly and indirectly through the mediating roles of social support and self-identity, encompassing three mediation pathways: social support alone, self-identity alone, and a chained mediation through both social support and self-identity. Conclusion: Team cohesion not only directly enhances athletes’ mental toughness but also indirectly influences it through the independent and chained mediating effects of social support and self-identity. Future interventions could focus on enhancing team cohesion to increase athletes’ social support and strengthen their self-identity, thereby improving mental toughness.