Predicting Coping with Performance Failure by Self-Compassion and Growth Mindset in Professional Athletes

Elif Toktas; Neşe  Köse

doi:10.61838/kman.hn.3.3.2

Authors

Elif Toktas * Department of Health, Culture, and Sport Services, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey eliftoktas@akdeniz.edu.tr

Neşe Köse Department of Health, Culture, and Sport Services, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.hn.3.3.2

Keywords:

Self-Compassion, Growth Mindset, Coping with Performance Failure, Professional Athletes, Psychological Resilience

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the predictive roles of self-compassion and growth mindset in coping with performance failure among professional athletes. This study employed a correlational descriptive design involving 396 professional athletes from Turkey. Participants were selected according to the Morgan and Krejcie (1970) table and completed standardized questionnaires measuring self-compassion, growth mindset, and coping with performance failure. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27. Pearson correlation was utilized to assess the relationships between coping with performance failure and each independent variable separately, and multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the predictive power of self-compassion and growth mindset on coping with performance failure. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that coping with performance failure was positively and significantly correlated with self-compassion (r = .54, p < 0.01) and growth mindset (r = .48, p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression results revealed that self-compassion and growth mindset together significantly predicted coping with performance failure (R = .58, R² = .34, F(2, 393) = 101.63, p < 0.01). Both self-compassion (β = .44, t = 8.91, p < 0.01) and growth mindset (β = .29, t = 7.09, p < 0.01) were significant positive predictors, with self-compassion emerging as the stronger predictor. The findings highlight the critical roles of self-compassion and growth mindset in facilitating more adaptive coping with performance failure among professional athletes. Enhancing both emotional regulation through self-compassion and cognitive beliefs through growth mindset may contribute to improved resilience and performance outcomes in competitive sports settings.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Mosewich AD, Dunn JG, Dunn JC, Wright KS. Domain-Specific Grit, Identity, and Self-Compassion in Intercollegiate Athletes. Sport Exercise and Performance Psychology. 2021;10(2):257-72.

2. Adam ME, Eke AO, Ferguson LJ. “Know That You’re Not Just Settling”: Exploring Women Athletes’ Self-Compassion, Sport Performance Perceptions, and Well-Being Around Important Competitive Events. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2021;43(3):268-78. [PMID: 33894692]

3. Casali N, Ghisi M, Jansen P, Feraco T, Meneghetti C. What Can Affect Competition Anxiety in Athletes? The Role of Self-Compassion and Repetitive Negative Thinking. Psychological Reports. 2021;125(4):2009-28. [PMID: 34037483]

4. James IA, Medea B, Harding M, Glover D, Bruno José de Oliveira C. The Use of Self-Compassion Techniques in Elite Footballers: Mistakes as Opportunities to Learn. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. 2022;15.

5. Walker S. Self-Compassion Mediates the Relationship Between Dispositional Mindfulness and Athlete Burnout Among Adolescent Squash Players in South Africa. South African Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;33(1). [PMID: 36816900 ] [PMCID: PMC9924516]

6. Zhang N, Huang J, Yao J. Athletes’ Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience to Failure: The Mediating Role of Vagal Reactivity. Frontiers in Psychology. 2023;14. [PMID: 37359872 ] [PMCID: PMC10288131]

7. Póka T, Veres A, Barta A. Self-Compassion Predicts Student Athletes’ Negative and Positive Affect After Remembering Exercise-Related Setbacks. Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Educatio Artis Gymnasticae. 2023:31-44.

8. Dong L, Jia X, Fei Y. How Growth Mindset Influences Mathematics Achievements: A Study of Chinese Middle School Students. Frontiers in Psychology. 2023;14. [PMID: 37057163 ] [PMCID: PMC10086334]

9. Su A, Wan S, He W, Dong L. Effect of Intelligence Mindsets on Math Achievement for Chinese Primary School Students: Math Self-Efficacy and Failure Beliefs as Mediators. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12.

10. Gontijo GM, Ishikawa VN, Ichikawa AIT, Bubna P, Conter FdS, Antonio Carlos Madeiro de Q, et al. Influences of Mindset and Lifestyle on Sports Performance: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Nutrology. 2023;16(2).

11. Zhao H, Li Y, Wan L, Ke L. Grit and Academic Self-Efficacy as Serial Mediation in the Relationship Between Growth Mindset and Academic Delay of Gratification: A Cross-Sectional Study. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 2023;Volume 16:3185-98. [PMID: 37588250] [PMCID: PMC10426458]

12. Cury PR, Rajapaksa S, Vidanapathirana J, José I, Filho IJZ, Filho R. The Impact of Mindset and Lifestyle on Metabolism and Immunity for Sports Performance: A Concise Systematic Review. International Journal of Development Research. 2022:57794-7.

13. Kwan LY, Hung YS, Lam L. How Can We Reap Learning Benefits for Individuals With Growth and Fixed Mindsets?: Understanding Self-Reflection and Self-Compassion as the Psychological Pathways to Maximize Positive Learning Outcomes. Frontiers in Education. 2022;7.

14. Justus K, Arghode V, Barker D. Principal Self-Efficacy, Mindset and Performance Outcomes: Exploring the Connection. European Journal of Training and Development. 2022;47(5/6):565-85.

15. Jennings RE, Lanaj K, Kim YJ. Self‐compassion at Work: A Self‐regulation Perspective on Its Beneficial Effects for Work Performance and Wellbeing. Personnel Psychology. 2022;76(1):279-309.

16. Vealey RS, Wright E. Using Imagery to Build Confidence in Esports. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity. 2023;18(s1).

17. Ponomarov V, Korchagin М, Kostenko Y. Improvements in Training Settings and Recommendations for the Formation of a Winner's Mindset in the Training Process of Wrestlers. Scientific Journal of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University Series 15 Scientific and Pedagogical Problems of Physical Culture (Physical Culture and Sports). 2024(7(180)):137-42.

18. Misurya P, udgirkar n, Shukla V, Anand PV. Self-Compassion and Post Traumatic Growth: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility". 2021.

19. Mohebi M, Bahmani DS, Zarei S, Zandi HG, Brand S. Examining the Effects of Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment Training on Self-Compassion and Grit Among Elite Female Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;19(1):134. [PMID: 35010391 ] [PMCID: PMC8750224]

20. Ataabadi YA, Cormier DL, Kowalski KC, Oates A, Ferguson LJ, Lanovaz JL. The Associations Among Self-Compassion, Self-Esteem, Self-Criticism, and Concern Over Mistakes in Response to Biomechanical Feedback in Athletes. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2022;4. [PMID: 35520096 ] [PMCID: PMC9062879]

21. Reis NA, Kowalski KC, Mosewich AD, Ferguson LJ. ‘That’s How I Am Dealing With It – Thatisdealing With It’: Exploring Men Athletes’ Self-Compassion Through the Lens of Masculinity. Qualitative Research in Sport Exercise and Health. 2021;14(2):245-67.

22. Ziarat SKA, Taheri A, Abolmaali K. Prediction of Mental Well-Being and General Health Based on Perceived Stress and Body Image With Mediating the Role of Self-Compassion in Women Athletes in Tehran. International Journal of Motor Control and Learning. 2021;3(2):32-47.

23. Tıngaz EO, Çakmak S. Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Athletic Performance in Student-Athletes. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. 2021;41(2):478-88.