Mental Toughness and Team Performance (Ranking Points) among Hockey Players in Kenya’s Premier League

Abstract

Purpose: Mental toughness is a critical psychological construct associated with elite athletic performance. This study examined the relationship between mental toughness and team performance among hockey players competing in the Kenya Premier League.

Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical design was employed, involving 288 male and female hockey players drawn from 12 premier league teams. Mental toughness was assessed using an adapted version of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire-48 (MTQ48), measuring the four core components of confidence, commitment, control, and challenge. Team performance data were obtained from official Kenya Hockey Union match records and operationalized using ranking points accumulated across the season. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality tests, Spearman’s rho correlation, and regression analysis.

Findings: The findings revealed a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between overall mental toughness and team performance. All four components of mental toughness independently demonstrated significant positive associations with ranking points. The results underscore the importance of psychological resilience and mental skills in competitive hockey performance.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concludes that mental toughness is a vital predictor of success in elite hockey and recommends the systematic integration of mental toughness training into coaching and athlete development programs within the Kenya Premier League.