The effect of attention and imagination on mental toughness in sports

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of attention in the effect of imagery on athletes' mental toughness. The Structural Equation Modeling approach was employed to test the research hypotheses. The sample comprised 522 licensed athletes selected using a criterion sampling method, which is categorized as a non-random sampling technique. The "Athlete Attention Scale" (Önal et al., 2.24), the "Athlete Mental Toughness Inventory" (Altıntaş and Bayar-Koruç, 2016), and the "Imagery Inventory in Sports" (Kızıldağ and Tiryaki, 2012) served as data collection tools for the study. The gathered data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, normality tests, correlation analyses, independent samples t-tests, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and mediation analyses. Subsequent data analysis revealed that imagery in sports significantly predicted athletes' mental toughness and that athlete attention functioned as a significant mediating variable in this effect. Consequently, it was concluded that imagery in sports enhances both attention and mental endurance among athletes, with attention serving a vital mediating role in this enhancement.