Abstract
This study aimed to examine the interaction between mental training abilities in sports and trait sport confidence level of athletes. To this end, study was conducted with relational survey model which is one of the general survey model. The participants were sampled through convenient sampling method after consent obtained prior to data collection. Data was collected with survey method from 321 athletes who actively involved in sports. Participants were required (a) to have sport experience at least 3 years in any kind of sports and (b) to attend at least one competition in their specific sports. Participants completed demographic form, Mental Training Skills in Sport (MTSS) scale and Trait Sport Confidence Inventory (TSCI). MTSS scale was developed by Vealey (2007) and adapted to Turkish by Yarayan and İlhan (2018). It consists 20 factors and 5 subscales. TSCI is a 13 factor scale developed by Vealey and adapted to Turkish version by Engür (2006). The internal consistency of the MTSS and TSCI for this study was found respectively 0,91 and 0,93 (Cronbach α). The statistical analyses of the study included descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses. Experience level in related sport was found for male 11,63±6,88 years and for female 10,54±5,31 years. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that basic mental skills subscale of MTSS had positive strong correlations with TSCI. Regression analyses showed that MTSS have significant effect on the confidence level of the athletes. Consequently, it could be argued that mental skills training in sport seems to have important effect on sport confidence level of the athletes.