AI Insight
This study of 235 track and field athletes at Turkish University Athletics Championships found that pessimism was significantly associated with athlete burnout, but this relationship was moderated by athletic mental energy. Specifically, higher levels of athletic mental energy, particularly self-confidence, tirelessness, and concentration, weakened the negative impact of pessimism on burnout. Athletes with stronger mental energy characteristics were more protected against burnout even when experiencing pessimistic thoughts.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that developing mental energy components like confidence, concentration, and tirelessness could serve as protective factors against athlete burnout, particularly for athletes prone to pessimistic thinking. This has practical implications for sports psychology interventions and coaching strategies aimed at preventing burnout in competitive university athletics.
Understand the Science
PurposeThis study aimed to examine the moderating role of athletic mental energy in the relationship between pessimism and athlete burnout among athletes participating in the Turkish University Athletics Championships.MethodsA correlational research design was employed in this study. The sample consisted of 235 track and field athletes, including 85 female and 150 male athletes. Data were collected using the Athletic Mental Energy Scale, the Sport Pessimism Scale, the Athlete Burnout Scale, and a Personal Information Form. Pearson’s correlation analysis and moderation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro were conducted to analyze the data.ResultsThe research findings revealed a significant positive association between pessimism and athlete burnout (r = 0.334, p < 0.01). Athlete burnout was also significantly and negatively associated with the vigor (r = −0.171, p < 0.01) and motivation (r = −0.159, p < 0.05) dimensions of athletic mental energy. Furthermore, athletic mental energy (β = −0.940, ΔR2 = 0.018, p < 0.05) exerted a significant negative moderating effect on the relationship between pessimism and athlete burnout. Among its subdimensions, confidence (β = −1.002, ΔR2 = 0.029, p < 0.05), tirelessness (β = −0.914, ΔR2 = 0.031, p < 0.01), and concentration (β = −1.096, ΔR2 = 0.039, p < 0.01) also demonstrated significant negative moderating effects.ConclusionThe findings indicate that the effect of pessimism on athlete burnout varies according to the levels of athletic mental energy, self-confidence, tirelessness, and concentration. Specifically, as levels of athletic mental energy, self-confidence, tirelessness, and concentration increased, the effect of pessimism on athlete burnout progressively weakened. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of athletic mental energy on pessimism and athlete burnout using longitudinal study designs.