Coping with Uncertainty in Sports: An Investigation into Perfectionism and Mental Toughness

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to examine the role of perfectionism and mental toughness in predicting athletes’ levels of intolerance of uncertainty. and to determine whether these variables differ according to various demographic characteristics. The study was designed using a relational screening model. which aims to identify the current status and relationships among variables. The study group consists of 386 volunteer athletes living in different provinces and actively participating in sports. Data collection tools included the “Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)”. the “Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ)”. and the “Sport-Specific Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (SSMPS)”. Prior to analysis. normality assumptions were verified through skewness and kurtosis values. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test. one-way ANOVA with LSD post-hoc comparisons. Pearson correlation. and multiple linear regression analyses. According to the results of the analysis. significant positive relationships were found between intolerance of uncertainty. mental toughness. and perfectionism. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the variables of mental toughness and perfectionism collectively explained 10% of the total variance in intolerance of uncertainty. In terms of demographic variables. it was determined that female athletes had a higher perception of stress in the face of uncertainty yet scored higher than male athletes in the “control” and “constancy” dimensions of mental toughness. Furthermore. it was found that as the level of education and sports experience increased. mental toughness capacity improved. while the perception of parental pressure decreased. In conclusion. it is observed that athletes’ psychological resilience and pursuit of high standards are determining factors in their processes of making sense of uncertain situations.