Determination of mental toughness levels, and challenge and threat of soccer players in sports

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Threat and Challenge in Sport scale and the secondary purpose of is to explore the impact of mental toughness on the perceptions of challenge and threat. 196 (M=19.64; SD=2.72) professional male players from 7 soccer teams participated voluntarily in the study. Of the 7 teams in the Turkish Super League, 4 teams were in the Super League while 3 teams were in the TFF. 1. League. Participants were asked to take the surveys of Challenge and Threat in Sports, Mental Toughness in Sports, and Personal Information. A confirmatory factor analysis was completed for construct validity of the Challenge and Threat in Sports scale. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was completed to identify the relationship between the perceptions of challenge and threat and mental toughness of participants. In order to identify the reliability level of the scale, Cronbach alpha internal-consistency coefficients were calculated. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis for the fitness of model are as follows: χ²/sd=1.58, GFI=0.90, CFI=0.91, RMR=0.04, SRMR=0.07, RMSEA=0.07, IFI=0.91, TLI=0.88. The analyses showed factor loadings between 0.56 and 0.75 for the "threat" dimension and between 0.61 and 0.77 for the "challenge" dimension. The results indicated that the self-confidence dimension is a determinant of the challenge dimension (R=0.15, R2=0.02, F (1.193) =4.42, p<0.05) and the relationship in between is positive (β=0.40; p<0.05). Additionally, self-confidence (β=0.34; p<0.05) and control (β=0.31; p<0.05) dimensions (R=0.29; R2=0.09; F(1, 194)=9.058; p<0.05) were found to be a negative determinant of the threat dimension. The results indicate that the Turkish version of the Challenge and Threat in Sports scale can be used in identifying the perception levels of Turkish athletes in challenge and threat. Also, the mental toughness levels of soccer players impact their challenge and threat perceptions.