Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes

Muhammet Talha Han; Emirhan Kan

doi:10.54141/psbd.1782501

Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of psychological resilience in the effect of subjective vitality on test anxiety among university student-athletes. Student-athletes often face increased psychological pressure due to academic responsibilities and intensive training schedules, which can heighten test anxiety and hinder both academic and athletic performance. Subjective vitality, grounded in self-determination theory, refers to individuals’ sense of energy and aliveness, whereas psychological resilience represents the capacity to adapt to stress and recover from adversity. Both constructs are recognized as protective factors within educational and sport psychology. The research employed a relational screening model with a causal-comparative framework. The sample consisted of 223 student-athletes enrolled in the Faculties of Sport Sciences at universities across Türkiye. Participants voluntarily completed standardized instruments assessing subjective vitality, psychological resilience, and test anxiety. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Atatürk University. Data analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 27, AMOS, and the PROCESS Macro with 5.000 bootstrap resamples to test the proposed mediation model. Findings showed that subjective vitality significantly predicted higher psychological resilience, while resilience had a significant negative effect on test anxiety. Although subjective vitality did not directly predict test anxiety, mediation analysis demonstrated that psychological resilience indirectly reduced its impact. Individuals with greater vitality displayed stronger resilience, contributing to lower levels of test anxiety. These results highlight the central role of psychological resilience in reducing test anxiety among student-athletes. The study enriches current understanding and recommends integrating resilience-based interventions into student support programs. Future research should employ further longitudinal designs.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, insan katılımcılarla yürütülen bilimsel araştırmalar için gerekli olan etik ilkeler doğrultusunda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma sürecinde, katılımcıların gönüllülüğü esas alınmış, tüm katılımcılardan bilgilendirilmiş onam alınmıştır. Katılımcıların kimlik bilgileri gizli tutulmuş ve elde edilen veriler yalnızca bilimsel amaçlarla kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın etik uygunluğu, Atatürk Üniversitesi Etik Kurulu tarafından 17.07.2025 tarihli ve 2025/07 sayılı toplantıda oy birliğiyle onaylanmıştır.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Muhammet Talha Han ^*
0000-0003-4760-3485
Türkiye

Emirhan Kan
0000-0001-5569-7624
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

March 18, 2026

Publication Date

March 18, 2026

Submission Date

September 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1782501

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA55LN25UZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Han, M. T., & Kan, E. (2026). Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, 17(1), 187-206. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1782501

AMA

1.Han MT, Kan E. Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026;17(1):187-206. doi:10.54141/psbd.1782501

Chicago

Han, Muhammet Talha, and Emirhan Kan. 2026. “Psychological Resilience As a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences 17 (1): 187-206. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1782501.

EndNote

Han MT, Kan E (April 1, 2026) Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences 17 1 187–206.

IEEE

[1]M. T. Han and E. Kan, “Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes”, Pamukkale J Sport Sci, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 187–206, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.54141/psbd.1782501.

ISNAD

Han, Muhammet Talha - Kan, Emirhan. “Psychological Resilience As a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences 17/1 (April 1, 2026): 187-206. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1782501.

JAMA

1.Han MT, Kan E. Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026;17:187–206.

MLA

Han, Muhammet Talha, and Emirhan Kan. “Psychological Resilience As a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, vol. 17, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 187-06, doi:10.54141/psbd.1782501.

Vancouver

1.Muhammet Talha Han, Emirhan Kan. Psychological Resilience as a Mediator in the Effect of Subjective Vitality on Test Anxiety Among Student-Athletes. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026 Apr. 1;17(1):187-206. doi:10.54141/psbd.1782501