July 11, 2019

Security, law enforcement and emergency response operations are generally highly stressful and demanding. Mental toughness can be a psychological resource and solution to help these personnel thrive under high pressure and adversity. This paper summarizes the implementation experiences of using the Tham and Weigand (2010) 5Cs mental toughness training model (used in elite, high performance sport) that may be adapted for security, law enforcement and emergency response applications.

August 31, 2015

Today’s modern workplace is both fast-paced and highly stressful. Employees are expected to manage workplace stress, while at the same time perform at their highest levels. This study aimed to better understand mental toughness at the workplace. Specifically, the study looked at the relationships between mental toughness and (1) perceived stress, (2) employee age, and (3) gender. Results showed: (1) staff with higher levels of mental toughness perceive lower levels of stress; (2) mental toughness appears to increase with age; and (3) male and female workplace employees are similar in terms of their mental toughness levels. 

August 31, 2015

Mental toughness is associated with peak performance and well-being across multiple domains (e.g., sports, education, and work). With competitive sport athletes being often cited as the ones who tend to possess this exceptional fortitude, it seems there exists certain conditions in the sporting environment (e.g., challenges, failure) that may help build the very ability to emerge successful from adversity. Results of the study showed that: (a) students who participated in sport were mentally tougher than students who did not, and (b) mental toughness was similar amongst all student athletes, regardless of the type of sport they participated in. Practical implications are recommended. 

April 30, 2015

Test anxiety is a perpetual issue for students, parents, and educators alike. High test anxiety has been associated with lower academic performance. Finding new ways to help students better cope with test or examination stress is therefore of great interest to educators and psychologists. The results of the study showed that: (a) students with higher mental toughness are more likely to feel less test anxiety, and (b) students who feel more in control of their lives and emotinos will tend to experience less test anxiety. Practical implications are suggested.

This research abstract has been accepted for presentation at the Regional Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health (RCWFMH), October 2015.

November 30, 2014

The study mainly identified several descriptors derived from perceived psychological challenges faced by student athletes. In the second half of the study, these descriptors were further classified into six factors identified by several existing models (e.g. Clough et. al., 2002). The study confirms the existence of several underlying descriptors of mental toughness that could be derived from commonly perceived psychological challenges faced by student athletes.