TY - JOUR

T1 - ‘The tough get tougher’

T2 - Mental skills training with elite military recruits

AU - Fitzwater, James

AU - Arthur, Calum

AU - Hardy, Lewis

N1 - This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record

PY - 2018/2

Y1 - 2018/2

N2 - Mental toughness has been shown to have relevance in a wide range of performance related fields where distractions, anxiety, and fear are common challenges, however, there remains a dearth of research in the military where the construct has obvious utility. A quasi-experimental trial with treatment (n = 83) and control (n = 90) conditions examined the impact of a psychological skills intervention on observer-rated mental toughness and performance in an elite military context. The results revealed significant differences in the treatment group between pre and post intervention in the use of psychological skills and observer-rated mental toughness. Furthermore, during the selection course, significant differences were evidenced between the treatment and control groups in the use of relaxation and imagery and individual performance.

AB - Mental toughness has been shown to have relevance in a wide range of performance related fields where distractions, anxiety, and fear are common challenges, however, there remains a dearth of research in the military where the construct has obvious utility. A quasi-experimental trial with treatment (n = 83) and control (n = 90) conditions examined the impact of a psychological skills intervention on observer-rated mental toughness and performance in an elite military context. The results revealed significant differences in the treatment group between pre and post intervention in the use of psychological skills and observer-rated mental toughness. Furthermore, during the selection course, significant differences were evidenced between the treatment and control groups in the use of relaxation and imagery and individual performance.

U2 - 10.1037/spy0000101

DO - 10.1037/spy0000101

M3 - Article

VL - 7

SP - 93

EP - 107

JO - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

JF - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

SN - 2157-3905

IS - 1

ER -