Evaluation of the Relationship between Athlete Self-Efficacy and Mental Toughness in Rugby Players

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the relationship between athlete self-efficacy and mental toughness of rugby athletes. The research sample consisted of 167 (79 female, 88 male) athletes over the age of 18 competing in the Turkish Rugby first league in 2022. To collect data in the research, "Personal Information Form", "Mental Toughness Inventory in Sports" and "Athlete Self-Efficacy Scale" were used. Frequency and percentage values, as well as parametric tests such as Pearson Correlation Test and independent samples t test, were used in statistical analyses. Statistical significance level was taken as p<0.05 in the analyses. According to the results obtained in the research, it can be said that there is a moderate positive relationship between the mental endurance of rugby athletes and their athlete self-efficacy. In addition, male rugby players' athletic self-efficacy and mental endurance are higher than female rugby athletes. While the mental endurance levels of rugby athletes do not vary according to age, the athlete self-efficacy levels of rugby players aged 23 and over are higher than those under the age of 23. Mental toughness and athlete self-efficacy levels do not differ according to educational status. As rugby players' athletic experience increases, their athlete self-efficacy and mental endurance also increase.

Keywords

• Athlete
• rugby
• self-efficacy
• mental toughness

Ragbi Sporcularında Sporcu Öz Yeterliği ve Zihinsel Dayanıklılık İlişkisi

Öz

Bu araştırmada, ragbi sporcularının sporcu öz yeterlikleri ile zihinsel dayanıklılıkları arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma örneklemi, 2022 yılında Türkiye Ragbi birinci liginde yarışan 18 yaşından büyük, 167 (79 kadın, 88 erkek) sporcudan oluşmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplamak için, “Kişisel Bilgi Formu”, “Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri” ve “Sporcu Öz Yeterlik Ölçeği’’ kullanılmıştır. İstatistiksel analizlerde frekans ve yüzdelik değerler ile parametrik testlerden Pearson Correlation Testi ve bağımsız örneklemler t testi kullanılmıştır. Analizlerde istatistiksel anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 alınmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen sonuçlara göre ragbi sporcularının zihinsel dayanıklılıkları ile sporcu öz yeterlikleri arasında pozitif yönde orta düzeyde bir ilişki olduğu söylenebilir. Bunun yanında erkek ragbi oyuncularının sporcu öz yeterlik ve zihinsel dayanıklılıkları kadın ragbi sporcularına göre daha yüksektir. Ragbi sporcularının zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri yaşa göre değişiklik göstermezken, 23 yaş ve üzerindeki ragbi oyuncularının sporcu öz yeterlik düzeyleri 23 yaş altındakilere göre daha yüksektir. Zihinsel dayanıklılık ve sporcu öz yeterliği düzeyleri öğrenim durumuna göre farklılaşmamaktadır. Ragbi oyuncularının sporculuk deneyimleri arttıkça sporcu öz yeterlikleri ve zihinsel dayanıklılıkları da artmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sporcu
• rugbi
• öz yeterlik
• zihinsel dayanıklılık

References

1. Aizava, P.V.S., Codonhato, R., & Fiorese, L. (2023). Association of self-efficacy and mental toughness with sport performance in Brazilian futsal athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1195721. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1195721
2. Altıntaş, A. (2015). The role of optimal performance mood, motivation level and goal orientation in determining the mental toughness of athletes. [Doctoral Thesis]. Ankara University.
3. Altıntaş, A., & Koruç-Bayar P. (2016). Examining Psychometric Properties of The Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire-SMTQ. Hacettepe Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 27(4), 162–171. https://doi.org/10.17644/sbd.311985
4. Asan, S. (2023). Investigation of athlete self-efficacy levels of athletes active in different branches according to different variables. Spor ve Bilim Dergisi, 1(1), 55-63.
5. Batista, M., Honório, S., Catarino, J., Vaz, L., Fernandes, H., & Petrica, J. (2019). Psychologıcal profile of rugby players-analysis between athletes of the u18 and u20 national elite teams in the positions of forwards and defenders. Revista Iberoamericana De Psicologia Del Ejercicio Y El Deporte, 14(2), 108-111.
6. Beattie, S., Woodman, T., Fakehy, M., & Dempsey C. (2016). The role of performance feedback on the self-efficacy–performance relationship. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 5(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000051
7. Brace, A.W., George, K., & Lovell, G.P. (2020). Mental toughness and self-efficacy of elite ultra-marathon runners. Plos one, 15(11), e0241284. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241284
8. Chen, M.A., & Cheesman, D.J. (2013). Mental toughness of mixed martial arts athletes at different levels of competition. Perceptual and motor skills, 116(3), 905-917. https://doi.org/10.2466/29.30.PMS.116.3.905-917

9. Cowden, R.G. (2017). Mental toughness and success in sport: A review and prospect. The Open Sports Sciences Journal, 10(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.2174/1875399X01710010001
10. Demir, P., & Çelebi, M. (2019). Investigation of mental resistance of combat sports athletes at the Faculty of Sport Sciences. Uluslararası Güncel Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(2), 188-199.
11. Feltz, D.L., Short, S.E., & Sullivan, P.J. (2008). Self-efficacy in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Fraenkel, J.R., & Wallen, N.E. (2009). How to design and evaluate research in education (7th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
12. Gabbett, T., Kelly, J., & Pezet, T. (2007). Relationship between physical fitness and playing ability in rugby league players. Journal of Strength Cond Research, 21(4),1126-1133. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-20936.1
13. Gucciardi, D., & Gordon, S. (2011). Mental toughness in sport: Developments in theory and research. Routledge.
14. Guszkowska, M., & Wójcik, K. (2021). Effect of mental toughness on sporting performance: Review of studies. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, 13(7), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.01
15. Güven, Ş., & Yazıcı, A. (2020). Analysis of the studies in the field of mental toughness published in Turkey. Ulusal Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(1), 82-93. https://doi.org/10.30769/usbd.749719
16. Güvendi, B., Türksoy, A., Güçlü, M., & Konter, E. (2018). Examination of the level courage and mental toughness of professional wrestlers. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences, 4(2), 70-78. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.424017
17. Ilhan, A. (2020). The mental toughness levels of tennis players. Journal of Global Sport and Education Research, 3(2), 28-35.
18. Kalkavan, A., Özdilek, Ç., & Çakır, G. (2020). Investigation of mental toughness levels of mountain bikers. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 22(2), 31-43.
19. Kocaekşi, S., & Yıldırım, I.Ö. (2020). Examining the mental toughness, self-efficacy belief and athletic self-confidence levels of wrestlers. Uluslararası Güncel Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 6(2), 392-406.
20. Koç, İ., & Gençay, Ö.A. (2021). Examining the mental endurance levels of badminton athletes according to various variables. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(1), 110-124.
21. Koçak, Ç.V. (2019). The relationship between self-efficacy and athlete burnout in elite volleyball players. Pedagogics, Psychology, Medical-biological Problems of Physical Training and Sports, 5, 231-238. https://doi.org/10.15561/18189172.2019.0504
22. Koçak, Ç.V. (2020). Athlete self-efficacy scale: Development and psychometric properties. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, Supplement, 12(4), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2020.Suppl.1.05
23. Koçak, Ç.V., & Çolak, S. (2024). The relationship between athlete self-efficacy and coping with stress in female handball players. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(3), 231-247.
24. Koçyiğit, B. (2022). The relationship between mental toughness and self-efficacy. Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 5(4), 871-881. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1166423
25. Newland, A., Newton M., Finch L., Harbke C.R., & Podlog L. (2013). Moderating variables in the relationship between mental toughness and performance in basketball. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2(3), 184-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2012.09.002
26. Ramolale, M., Malete, L., & Ju, U. (2021). Mediational role of mental toughness on the relationship between self-efficacy and prosocial/antisocial behavior in elite youth sport. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 745323. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.745323
27. Sarı, İ., Sağ, S., & Demir, A.P. (2020). Mental toughness in sports: An investigation in Taekwondo athletes. Atatürk Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 22(4), 131-147.
28. Sheard, M., Golby, J., & Van Wersch, A. (2009). Progress toward construct validation of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 25(3), 186-193. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759.25.3.186
29. Singh, T.D., Bhardwaj, G., & Bhardwaj, V. (2009). Effect of self-efficacy on the performance of athletes. Journal of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy, 5(2), 110-114.
30. Şahinler, Y., & Beşler, H.K. (2021). Examining the mental endurance levels of individuals doing team and combat sports. Kilis 7 Aralık Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 5(2), 134-144.
31. Tabachnick, B.G., & Fidell, L.S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (7. ed.). Pearson, Boston.
32. Taiwo, J. A. (2015). Commentary on the relationship between self-efficacy, problemfocused coping and performance. Behavioural Sciences Undergraduate Journal, 2(1), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.29173/bsuj291
33. Valiante, G., & Morris, DB. (2013). The sources and maintenance of professional golfer’s self-efficacy beliefs. The Sport Psychologist, 27, 130-142. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.27.2.130
34. Weinberg, R., & Gould, D. (2015). Improving performance: Imagery. Foundations of sport and exercise psychology. Champaign, IL:Human Kinetics.
35. Yalcin, Y., & Turan, F. (2021). Are self-talk and mental toughness level prerequisites besides the kick boxing education level in athletes? International Education Studies, 14(10), 105-115. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v14n10p105
36. Yarayan, Y.E., Yıldız, A.B., & Gülşen, D.B.A. (2018). Examining the mental endurance levels of elite individual and team sports athletes according to various variables. Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 11(57), 992-999. http://dx.doi.org/10.17719/jisr.2018.2509
37. Yıldız, A.B. (2017). Investigation of the relationship between mental toughness and self-efficacy levels in athletes. [Master's Thesis]. Yıldırım Beyazıt University.
38. Yılmaz, T., Yiğit, Ş., Dalbudak, İ., & Acar, E. (2020). Investigation of university students' selfefficacy and sport specific success motivation levels. Electronic Turkish Studies, 15(3), 2115-2126. https://dx.doi.org/10.29228/TurkishStudies.42905