Mental toughness in education: exploring relationships with attainment, attendance, behaviour and peer relationships

St Clair-Thompson, Helen; Bugler, Myfanwy; Robinson, Jamey; Clough, Peter; McGeown, Sarah P.; Perry, John

Abstract

Mental toughness has frequently been associated with successful performance in sport; however, recent research suggests that it may also be related to academic performance in Higher Education. In a series of three exploratory studies, we examined the relationship between mental toughness and different aspects of educational performance in adolescents aged 11–16, focusing on academic attainment, school attendance, classroom behaviour and peer relationships. Study 1 revealed significant associations between several aspects of mental toughness (but particularly control of life) and academic attainment and attendance. Study 2 revealed significant associations between several aspects of mental toughness (but again particularly control of life) and counterproductive classroom behaviour. Finally, Study 3 demonstrated significant associations between aspects of mental toughness (confidence in abilities and interpersonal confidence) and peer relationships. The results are discussed in terms of the potential value of mental toughness as a useful concept in education.

Citation

St Clair-Thompson, H., Bugler, M., Robinson, J., Clough, P., McGeown, S. P., & Perry, J. (2015). Mental toughness in education: exploring relationships with attainment, attendance, behaviour and peer relationships. Educational psychology, 35(7), 886-907. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2014.895294

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Mar 11, 2014
• Publication Date: Oct 3, 2015
• Deposit Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: Educational psychology
• Print ISSN: 0144-3410
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 886-907
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2014.895294
• Keywords: Academic performance, Problem behaviour, Personality
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/378444
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01443410.2014.895294
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=cedp20
• Contract Date: Nov 23, 2017