Mental Resilience and Performance of Young Athletes

Abstract

Aims: This study seeks to explore the relationship between mental toughness and the performance strategies employed by student athletes at Digos City National High School. The purpose of this research is to understand how mental toughness influences athletic performance and how specific strategies are employed by young athletes to enhance their performance. By focusing on a sample of student athletes, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the psychological and strategic factors contributing to success in sports. The research will utilize quantitative methods, collecting data through surveys and performance assessments, with statistical analysis to identify any significant correlations between mental toughness and performance strategies. Study Design: Quantitative descriptive-correlational. Place and Duration of Study: Digos City National Highschool between June 2025 and September 2025. Methodology: The researchers selected 100 respondents based on the following criteria: the student-athletes must be bonafide junior high school students, Grade 7 to Grade 10, Ages 12-16 years old and they must be student-athletes or under the Special Program for Sports (SPS) at their respective schools. The instrument used in this study was two standardized questionnaires, namely the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire and the test of performance strategies. The statistical tools used were mean, standard deviation, Spearman rho, and Pearson R. Results: It was found that there is a strong positive correlation between mental toughness and performance strategies that underscores the integral role that mental fortitude plays in enhancing athletic performance. Based on the data analysis, it was revealed that the overall mean score of mental toughness was 3.39 (SD = 0.36), which described as "Moderate" level. This indicates that mental toughness skills were moderately manifested by the young athletes in terms of various mental skills that can foster active participation by applying control, commitment, and other subscale of mental resilience that can build and enhance athletic success in their respective sports. The overall performance strategies of the athletes obtained a mean score of 3.66 (SD 0.40), categorizing it within the "High" descriptive level, suggesting that the young athletes utilize performance strategies extensively. Conclusion: The athletes’ mental toughness and use of performance strategies reflect their self-efficacy, as they exhibit the confidence and psychological resilience needed to overcome challenges and enhance their athletic performance.