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This study investigates the associations between general and sport-specific mental toughness and personality traits in university students.

June 20, 2026Frontiers in PsychologyOpen Access

General and sport-specific mental toughness in university students: associations with personality traits and physical activity

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Authors

DMDebora Di MauroUniversity of Messina CMCarmen MannucciUniversity of Messina ACAlessandro CoronellaUniversity of Messina

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Implication

Cross-sectional study examines mental toughness associations with personality traits and anxiety levels in university students engaged in sports, indicating significant relationships.

Key Points

This study investigates the associations between general and sport-specific mental toughness and personality traits in university students.
Cross-sectional study involving 239 university students.
Participants completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire-18, Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire, and Big Five Inventory.
Students engaged in sports also completed the Sport Competition Anxiety Test to measure competitive anxiety.
General and sport-specific mental toughness were strongly positively associated, showing considerable overlap between the constructs.
Conscientiousness was identified as the main positive predictor of both mental toughness types.
Higher sport-specific mental toughness was linked to lower competitive anxiety; neuroticism correlated positively with anxiety levels.

Cite This Study

Mauro et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a362d32db0793dc1a535974 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1854907

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Implication

Cross-sectional study examines mental toughness associations with personality traits and anxiety levels in university students engaged in sports, indicating significant relationships.

General and sport-specific mental toughness in university students: associations with personality traits and physical activity

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

General and sport-specific mental toughness in university students: associations with personality traits and physical activity

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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