Relationships between talent development environments and mental toughness: The role of basic psychological need satisfaction

Li, Chunxiao; Martindale, Russell; Sun, Yanlin

Abstract

Although the talent development environment and mental toughness are critical for athletes to realise their athletic potential, there is a dearth of literature on whether the talent development environment can enhance mental toughness among those athletes who are identified with athletic potential (i.e., talented athletes). Drawing on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), this research examined the relationships between the talent development environment, basic psychological needs satisfaction, and mental toughness. Talented athletes (n = 261) completed a survey measuring key features of the talent development environment, needs satisfaction, and mental toughness. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that three environmental factors (i.e., long-term development focus, holistic quality preparation, and communication) were positive predictors of needs satisfaction, which then positively predicted mental toughness. The talent development environment may be considered for promoting talented athletes’ mental toughness.

Citation

Li, C., Martindale, R., & Sun, Y. (2019). Relationships between talent development environments and mental toughness: The role of basic psychological need satisfaction. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(18), 2057-2065. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1620979

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 10, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2019
• Publication Date: May 24, 2019
• Deposit Date: May 21, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 25, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Sports Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0264-0414
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-447X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 18
• Pages: 2057-2065
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1620979
• Keywords: Athletic development, environment, confidence, needs satisfaction, Chinese, youth
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1818062
• Contract Date: May 21, 2019