A Framework of Mental Toughness in the World’s Best Performers

TLDR

The study investigates mental toughness among elite athletes who have achieved ultimate sporting success. The authors used qualitative interviews with eight Olympic or world champions, three coaches, and four sport psychologists to define mental toughness, identify its essential attributes, and develop a framework. The study confirmed the authors’ definition of mental toughness, identified 30 essential attributes clustered into four dimensions—attitude/mindset, training, competition, and post‑competition—forming an overall framework.

Abstract

The authors conducted an investigation of mental toughness in a sample population of athletes who have achieved ultimate sporting success. Eight Olympic or world champions, 3 coaches, and 4 sport psychologists agreed to participate. Qualitative methods addressed 3 fundamental issues: the definition of mental toughness, the identification of its essential attributes, and the development of a framework of mental toughness. Results verified the authors’ earlier definition of mental toughness and identified 30 attributes that were essential to being mentally tough. These attributes clustered under 4 separate dimensions (attitude/mindset, training, competition, postcompetition) within an overall framework of mental toughness. Practical implications and future avenues of research involving the development of mental toughness and measurement issues are discussed.