The Role of Mental Toughness in Improving Achievement: The Perspective of Sport Psychology on Student-Athletes

Abstract

The psychological aspect is essential in determining success in sports. Mental toughness is one factor that can affect athletes' psychological state during training and competition. Mental toughness can play an essential role in managing and minimizing the anxiety of athletes in competing athletes so that it can help athletes be able to show their best performance. This study aims to determine the mental toughness of student-athletes to improve achievement in sports. This type of research is survey research, using questionnaires in the data collection process. The questionnaire contains several demographic questions about respondents: age, gender, sport involved, and athlete level. Respondents in this study were student-athletes from West Sumatra with a total of 128 people, with an average age of 13-24 years, and all participants signed the free and informed consent term (ETHIC). Data collection uses a questionnaire consisting of a Mental Toughness scale. The mental toughness of student-athletes was in a low category, and there was no difference in mental toughness regarding the athlete's level of competition. Mental toughness in athletes competing at the national level should have a higher score than athletes at lower levels because variations in competing experience are thought to increase the mental toughness of student-athletes. This research implies the government's crucial role in working with sports psychologists to improve mental awareness among student-athletes.