Relationship between grit personality, mindfulness, and anxiety, and sex differences in athletes from the Sonora selection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.118165Keywords:
Consistency , perseverance , mindfulness, anxiety , athletesAbstract
Introduction: Athletes often train in demanding and competitive environments. Considering psychological variables such as grit and mindfulness can be crucial for maintaining optimal performance and managing anxiety.
Objective: To examine the relationships between sports grit, mindfulness, and anxiety, as well as to compare their levels between male and female athletes.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 184 athletes aged 9 to 22 years. Three validated instruments were applied: the Sports Grit Scale, the Mindfulness Scale, and an anxiety test. Data was analyzed using SPSS v25.0 and JASP 0.19.1, employing non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U) and confirmatory factor analysis.
Results: Athletes showed high levels in the grit dimension "self-improvement" (M=4.54) and low levels in "giving up" (M=1.44). No significant differences in grit were found by gender (p=0.88), but women exhibited higher anxiety (p<0.01) and lower mindfulness (p<.01). Negative correlations were found between anxiety and mindfulness (r=-.60, p<.01), and between anxiety and grit (r=-.20, p<.05).
Discussion: The results align with previous studies highlighting the protective role of grit and mindfulness against anxiety, though they contrast with findings reporting gender differences in grit. The absence of a correlation between mindfulness and grit suggests unexplored mediators, such as self-compassion.
Conclusions: Athletes from the Sonora national team exhibit high levels of grit and mindfulness, associated with lower anxiety. Gender-specific interventions and future longitudinal studies to establish causal relationships are recommended.
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