Date of Award

2009

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.H.K.

Department

Kinesiology

Keywords

Kinesiology, General.

Supervisor

Chandler, Krista (Kinesiology)

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

The motivational functions of imagery include images of feeling confident, in control, and mentally tough (Hall et al., 1998). Despite the important contribution of mental toughness to athletic performance (Jones et al., 2007), little quantitative research has been devoted to examining this construct, or to developing strategies to enhance or maintain mental toughness. The present study investigated the relationship between imagery use and mental toughness. Participants included 151 varsity athletes (Mage = 20.70 ▒ 1.84). Imagery use was assessed using the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (Hall et al., 1998) and mental toughness with the Mental Toughness 48 Inventory (Clough et al., 2002). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the motivational functions of imagery significantly predicted mental toughness, while the cognitive functions contributed minimally to the variance in mental toughness. Findings from the present study suggest that imagery use may be an effective strategy for developing or enhancing mental toughness in athletes.

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