Mental well-being and anxiety in sports among high-performance university athletes

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Mental well-being and anxiety are crucial psychological factors affecting athletic performance, particularly among high-performance athletes. This study aims to examine the correlation between mental well-being and sports anxiety and to compare these variables, along with their specific constructs, between athletes from two universities. Material and Methods. A descriptive research design employing a survey approach was utilized. The Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) was used to measure mental toughness across three dimensions: confidence, constancy, and control. The Sport Anxiety Scale (SAS) assessed anxiety by evaluating worry, concentration disruption, and somatic trait anxiety. A total of 120 high-performing athletes from various team sports were selected through purposive sampling. The participants were recruited from two universities, forming two distinct groups of 60 athletes each. Data were collected via online questionnaires distributed through Google Forms. Responses were rated using a Likert scale. Results. The findings indicate a significant negative correlation (r = -0.565, p < 0.01) between mental well-being and anxiety in sports. Higher levels of anxiety were associated with lower levels of mental well-being. No significant differences were found in overall mental well-being or anxiety levels between the two groups. However, a significant difference in the mental toughness construct of constancy (p = 0.002) was observed. No significant differences were found in the anxiety constructs (worry, concentration disruption, and somatic trait anxiety). Conclusions. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating psychological support into athletic training programs to manage anxiety and strengthen mental toughness. Similar psychological challenges faced by both groups highlight the need for systematic interventions.