Analysis of the Mental Toughness, Physical Activity Level, and Stress Coping Strategies of University Students

Umit Dogan Ustun, Hamza Erkal

Abstract


Background: Mental toughness, physical activity, and coping strategies are key psychological components influencing individuals’ well-being, performance, and stress management. Exploring these elements in sports science students can offer insights into how personal factors shape behavioral outcomes. Objective: To examine the mental toughness, physical activity level and stress coping strategies of students at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University by taking into account individual factors and to analyze the interrelationships between these variables. Methods: A total of 183 students (103 men and 80 women) from the Faculty of Sports Sciences voluntarily participated in the study. This research employed a cross-sectional study design. Data were collected using standardized scales for mental toughness, physical activity, and stress coping strategies. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency were used to present participants’ personal information. Internal consistency of the scales was assessed, and kurtosis-skewness values were examined to confirm the normality of the data. For hypothesis testing, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were applied. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in mental toughness and stress coping strategies based on participants’ purpose of engagement in sports, particularly between those participating for health/leisure and those with an amateur sports license (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in mental toughness and stress coping strategies across physical activity categories (p>0.05). Correlational analyses revealed meaningful relationships among variables such as years of sports participation, physical activity levels, mental toughness, and stress coping strategies. Conclusions: Based on the results, individuals’ purpose for engaging in sports significantly influences their mental toughness and stress coping strategies, while overall physical activity level does not; additionally, longer sports participation is associated with higher mental resilience and better coping strategies.

Keywords


Psychological Resilience, Motor Activity, Physiological, Stress

Full Text:

PDF

References


Aditya, R. S., Rahmatika, Q. T., Solikhah, F. K., AlMutairi, R. I., Alruwaili, A. S., Astuti, E. S., & Fadila, R. (2024). Mental toughness may have an impact on athlete’s performance: Systematic review. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, (56), 328-337. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v56.103768

Aksoy, S. (2022). The importance of focused attention in sport. In Uluç, A. (Ed.). Current Approaches in Sport (pp: 151-165). Ankara: Gazi Bookstore.

Aktas Ustun, N., & Ustun, U. D. (2020). Investigation of stress management in female volleyball players in terms of coping approaches. Spormetre Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 18(3), 128-135. https://doi.org/10.33689/spormetre.687456

Akyol, G., & Taskiran, C. (2023). Cognitive flexibility levels and stress coping strategies of elite level wrestlers. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 28(4), 267-275. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1318148

Ari, C., Ulun, C., Yarayan, Y. E., Dursun, M., Mutlu, T., & Ustun, U. D. (2020). Mindfulness, healthy life skills and life satisfaction in varsity athletes and university students. Progress in Nutrition, 22(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v22i2-S.10561

Bacchi, S., & Licinio, J. (2017). Resilience and psychological distress in psychology and medical students. Academic Psychiatry, 41, 185-188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-016-0488-0

Bek, N. (2008). Physical activity and health. Ankara: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health.

Blanco-García, C., Acebes-Sánchez, J., Rodriguez-Romo, G., & Mon-López, D. (2021). Resilience in sports: Sport type, gender, age and sport level differences. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), 8196. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158196

Brown, C. E., Richardson, K., Halil-Pizzirani, B., Atkins, L., Yücel, M., & Segrave, R. A. (2024). Key influences on university students’ physical activity: a systematic review using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the COM-B model of human behaviour. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 418. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17621-4

Bull, S. J., Shambrook, C. J., James, W., & Brooks, J. E. (2005). Towards an understanding of mental toughness in elite English cricketers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 17(3), 209-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200591010085

Cakir, G., Isik, U., Ustun, U. D., Su, N., & Gumusgul, O. (2024). Resilience among Turkish adolescents: A multi-level approach. Plos One, 19(7), e0300165. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300165

Civan, A., Ozdemir, I., Gencer, Y. G., & Durmaz, M. (2018). Exercise and stress hormones. Turkish Journal of Sports Sciences, 2(1), 1-14. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/495684

Cox, R. (2011). Sport psychology, concepts and applications (7th Press). New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2011.

Crust, L. (2008). A review and conceptual re-examination of mental toughness: Implications for future researchers. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(7), 576-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.07.005

Demir, G. T., & Turkeli, A. (2019). Examination of exercise addiction and mental strength levels of students of sport sciences faculty. Journal of Sport Sciences Researches, 4(1), 10-24. https://doi.org/10.25307/jssr.505941

Demir, P., & Celebi, M. (2019 Investigation of mental resistance of combat sports athletes at the faculty of sport sciences. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Sciences, 5(2), 188- 199. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/911258

Erdogan, N. (2016). Mental toughness scale (MRS): Turkish adaptation, validity and reliability study. International Journal of Science Culture and Sport, 4(SI2): 652-664. http://dx.doi.org/10.14486/IntJSCS588

Eroglu, O., Unveren, A., Ayna, C., & Muftuoglu, N. E. (2020). Investigation of the relationship between mental endurance in sports and the level of moral distancing in sports among students in the faculty of sport sciences. Turkish Journal of Sport Sciences, 4(2), 100-110. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.829164

Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E., & Airasain, P. W. (2011). Educational research competencies for analysis and application. Columbus: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Guven, S., & Yazici, 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

Hogg, J. M. (2024). Debriefing sport performance: A strategy to enhance mental and emotional recovery and plan for future competition. In Fostering Recovery and Well-being in a Healthy Lifestyle (pp. 73-91). Routledge.

Hossain, M. N., Lee, J., Choi, H., Kwak, Y. S., & Kim, J. (2024). The impact of exercise on depression: how moving makes your brain and body feel better. Physical Activity and Nutrition, 28(2), 43. https://doi.org/10.20463/pan.2024.0015

Huang, C. E., Tsai, C. Y., & Lee, S. C. (2014). A study of the influence of college students’ exercise and leisure motivations on the leisure benefits – using leisure involvement as a moderator. International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation, 8(8), 2382–2386.

Isitan, I., & Gokten, R. (2012). The disease of the modern age: Stress and its effects. Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 164-165. https://doi.org/10.7596/taksad.v1i3.63

Jones, G., Hanton, S., & Connaughton, D. (2002). What is this thing called mental toughness? An investigation of elite sport performers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14(3), 205-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200290103509

Kalkavan, A., Ozdilek, C., & Cakir, G. (2020). Investigation of mental endurance levels of mountain bikers. Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 22(2), 31-43. https://doi.org/10.14486/IntJSCS699

Kayhan, R. F., Hacicaferoglu, S., Aydogan, H., & Erdemir, I. (2018). Examination of mental toughness situations of athletes interested in team and individual sports. Sportive Perspective: Journal of Sports and Educational Sciences, 5(2), 55-64. Retrieved from https://www.sportifbakis.com/index.php/pub/article/view/206

Koca Balli, A. I., & Kilic, K. C. (2016). Adaptation of the stress coping methods scale into Turkish: Validity and reliability study. Çukurova University Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 25(3), 273-286. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/364522

Kocyigit, B., Cimen, E., & Pepe, O. (2022). Examination of taekwondo athletes' coaching competences. Sivas Cumhuriyet University Journal of Sport Sciences, 3(2), 45-51. Retrieved from http://cuspor.cumhuriyet.edu.tr/tr/pub/issue/73251/1166583

Kuzu, A. (2013). Planning of research. In Aşkın Kurt A. (Ed.). Scientific research methods. Eskisehir: Anadolu University Open Education Publications.

Ma, C. (2024). The influence of college physical education teaching on students' mental health and skill improvement under the embodied cognition Theory. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 33(2), 366-375. Retrieved from https://rpd-online.com/manuscript/index.php/rpd/article/view/1730/740

Madrigal, L., Hamill, S., & Gill, D. L. (2013). Mind over matter: The development of the mental toughness scale (MTS). Sport Psychologist, 27(1), 62-77. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.27.1.62

Mendizabal, B. (2024). The relationship between athletes’ grit, mental toughness, and sport resilience. Physical Education of Students, 28(4), 188-194. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2024.0401

Moos, R. (1993). Coping responses inventory: Professional manual (2nd ed.). New York: PAR Assessment Resources.

Okutan, M., & Tengilimoglu, D. (2002). Stress in the work environment and methods of coping with stress: A field application. Gazi University Journal of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 3, 15-42. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/287759

Poulus, D., Coulter, T. J., Trotter, M. G., & Polman, R. (2020). Stress and coping in esports and the influence of mental toughness. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 628. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00628

Romanová, M. (2021). Coping strategies and mental toughness in sports school students. Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 260-264. Retrieved from https://www.magnanimitas.cz/ADALTA/1101/papers/A_romanova.pdf

Satman, M. C. (2018). Physical activity: Far beyond what is known. Spormeter Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 16(4), 158-178. https://doi.org/10.1501/Sporm_0000000401

Savci, S., Ozturk, M., Arikan, H., Inal, D., Ince Tokgozoglu, L. (2006). Physical activity levels of university students. Turkish Society of Cardiology Research, 34(3), 166-172. Retrieved from https://jag.journalagent.com/tkd/pdfs/TKDA_34_3_166_172.pdf

Siebert, A. (2009). The resiliency advantage: Master change, thrive under pressure, and bounce back from setbacks. ReadHowYouWant. com.

Simsek, B., Kartal, A., & Aktas, S. (2023). Mental toughness levels of men and women football players. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 25(1), 92-100. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1245313

Sylvia, L. G., Bernstein, E. E., Hubbard, J. L., Keating, L., & Anderson, E. J. (2013). A practical guide to measuring physical activity. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(2), 199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.09.018

Ünsal, P. (2012). The role of individual differences in job stress perception and coping. Kocaeli: Umuttepe Publications.

Ustun, U. D. (2018). Future time perspective and reduction in motivation for recreation department students in Turkey. Journal of Educational Issues, 4(2), 27-35. https://doi.org/10.5296/jei.v4i2.13618

Ustun, U. D., & Aktas Ustun, N. (2020). Examining the awareness of university students about the benefits of recreational activities. Sportive Bakis: Journal of Sport and Education Sciences, 7(1), 38-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.33468/sbsebd.128

Vanhees, L., Lefevre, J., Philippaerts, R., Martens, M., Huygens, W., Troosters, T., & Beunen, G. (2005). How to assess physical activity? How to assess physical fitness? European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention, 12(2), 102-114. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.hjr.0000161551.73095.9c

Vealey, R. S. (2024). A framework for mental training in sport: Enhancing mental skills, wellbeing, and performance. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(2), 365-384. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2274459

Wattick, R. A., Hagedorn, R. L., & Olfert, M. D. (2021). Impact of resilience on college student mental health during Covid-19. Journal of American College Health, 18. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1965145

Wu, Y., Yu, W., Wu, X., Wan, H., Wang, Y., & Lu, G. (2020). Psychological resilience and positive coping styles among Chinese undergraduate students: A cross-sectional study. BMC Psychology, 8(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-00444-y

Yarar, F., Telci, E. A., & Sekeroz, S. (2021). Investigation of the effect of physical activity level on academic self-efficacy, anxiety and stress in university students. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 14(3), 548-554. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.792747

Yilmaz, A. (2021). Mental endurance in sports. International Journal of Mountaineering and Climbing, 4(2), 23-42. https://doi.org/10.36415/dagcilik.975076

Yuceant, M. (2023). The effect of regular physical activity on stress, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, psychological well-being and positive-negative emotion. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Sciences, 6(2), 581-598. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1248186




DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.13n.2p.61

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

2013-2025 (CC-BY) Australian International Academic Centre PTY.LTD.

International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science

You may require to add the 'aiac.org.au' domain to your e-mail 'safe list’ If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox'. Otherwise, you may check your 'Spam mail' or 'junk mail' folders.