A qualitative exploration of mentally tough behaviour in Australian football

ABSTRACT

The primary aim of this research was to generate insight into observable mentally tough behaviours, or MTb, across different contexts (e.g., training and competition) in an Australian football (AF) environment. A second aim of this research was to explore the utility of MTb as a distinct concept, and identify common behavioural qualities associated with MTb that separate it from other similar constructs. In total, 10 experienced full-time football operations staff were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide, with inductive thematic analysis employed to analyse the data. Five main themes relating to MTb were identified: adaptive development, consistent training conduct, composed performance actions, responsible and accountable, and team supportive. Overall, the findings of the research provided preliminary support for the proposition that there exists a collection of MTb that are displayed more frequently by athletes considered to possess high levels of mental toughness compared to athletes who are perceived to have low levels of this psychological capacity. We propose a collection of necessary and sufficient behavioural qualities and a working definition of MTb to further our understanding of potential strategies to develop MT.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental toughness
• person-environment interaction
• elite athlete
• development
• concept definition

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ When discussing contexts in this research, we use Bronfenbrenner and Morris (2006) conceptualisation, which focuses on the effects of the different physical and social situations occurring within the one environment that can influence one’s development.

² The MTb workbook was developed through pilot work with 42 undergraduate students in exercise and sport science to maximise comprehension and ensure the data gathered was contextually relevant.

³ We used the term “mentally tough” in the interviews and description of the methods and findings here to represent individuals who were considered as possessing high levels of this psychological resource as per the guiding definition of mental toughness (Gucciardi, 2017). In other words, coaches were asked to keep in mind athletes who in their opinion possessed large degrees of psychological purposefulness, flexibility, and efficiency, rather than an “all or nothing” perspective of mental toughness (i.e., you have it or you don’t).