Assessment of Mental Toughness of High School Team Athletes in Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to (1) assess the level of overall mental toughness (MT) in high school student-athletes in Nonthaburi Province, and (2) compare the MT levels based on sport type and length of playing experience. The study utilized a purposive sample of 48 male athletes. Data were collected using the Thai version of the Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI). Statistical analysis included the mean, standard deviation, and Analysis of Variance The results indicated a high overall level of mental toughness among the athletes. However, no statistically significant differences were found when comparing mental toughness scores by sport type or length of playing experience (p > .05). The athletes' primary psychological strengths were Positive Energy and Attitude Control. Conversely, Attention Control and Negative Energy Control were identified as areas requiring development, scoring at a moderate level. These findings suggest that Psychological Skills Training program for this population should prioritize techniques for improving attention and managing negative energy to enhance performance under competitive pressure. Conversely, the components requiring development were Attention Control and Negative Emotion Control. Therefore, the Psychological Skills Training program for student-athletes should focus on developing Attention Control and negative emotion skills to enhance the athletes' ability to maintain their best possible performance state under competitive pressure.