The role of sports mental toughness in rehabilitation adherence: A correlational study among university athletes using SMTQ and SIRAS

Abstract

Athletes recovering from injury face challenges not only in physical rehabilitation but also in sustaining adherence to rehabilitation programmes. Mental toughness, a psychological trait encompassing confidence, control, and consistency, may play a crucial role in promoting adherence. This study aimed to examine the strength of association between sports mental toughness (measured using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire, SMTQ) and rehabilitation adherence (measured using the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale, SIRAS) among university-level athletes. Eighty athletes (42 male, 38 females; age mean = 21.4 years, SD = 2.0) undergoing active rehabilitation for sport-related injuries participated. Descriptive statistics showed moderate to high levels of mental toughness and moderate to high rehabilitation adherence. Pearson correlations revealed significant positive associations between SIRAS adherence scores and all three SMTQ subscales: confidence (r = .52, p = .0002), control (r = .47, p = .001), and consistency (r = .44, p = .002). The results suggest mental toughness is an important psychological variable in injury recovery. Interventions aimed at enhancing confidence, control, and consistency may help improve adherence and thereby recovery outcomes.