Progress Toward Construct Validation of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ)

Abstract

This study examines the construct validity of an original self-report instrument for the assessment of mental toughness: the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Two independent studies supported a three-factor (Confidence, Constancy, and Control) 14-item model for the SMTQ. With a sample of 633 athletes (427 males, 206 females; M age = 21.5 years; SD = 5.48), drawn from 25 sport classifications, and competing at international, national, county and provincial, or club and regional standards, the first study utilized item development and exploratory factor analytic techniques to establish the psychometric properties of the SMTQ. Study 2 employed confirmatory factor analytic techniques with an independent sample of 509 sports performers (351 males, 158 females; M age = 20.2 years; SD = 3.35), competing at the aforementioned standards, and representative of 26 sports. Confirmatory analysis using structural equation modeling confirmed the overall structure. A single factor underlying mental toughness (G mt ) was identified with higher-order exploratory factor analysis using the Schmid-Leiman procedure. Collectively, satisfying absolute and incremental fit-index benchmarks, the inventory was shown to possess satisfactory psychometric properties, with adequate reliability, divergent validity, and discriminative power. The results revealed promising features of the SMTQ, lending preliminary support to the instrument's factorial validity and reliability. Further construct validation of the SMTQ is recommended, including its use as an index for evaluating the effect of intervention programs.

Comparing two measures of mental toughness

“…Sheard et al, 2009). While the overall internal consistency of each measure was found to be good, problems with two subscales on each instrument were evident.…”

“…The SMTQ (Sheard et al, 2009) was also used to measure MT. The 14-item SMTQ provides a global measure of MT as well as the three subscales of confidence, constancy, and control.…”

“…However, Clough et al (2002) produced an instrument that has since been used in numerous studies (i.e., Crust & Clough, 2005;Kaiseler, Polman, & Nicholls;Nicholls, Polman, Levy & Backhouse, 2008). Despite much published research using the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48 (MTQ48; Clough et al), some researchers (i.e., Sheard et al, 2009) have been critical of the measure on two counts: First, the conceptualization that underpins the MTQ48; and second, the lack of independent scrutiny of the factor structure.…”

“…Finally, control in the SMTQ is concerned with the perception that one is personally influential and can bring about desired outcomes with particular reference to controlling emotions. Sheard et al (2009) provide evidence that the SMTQ possesses satisfactory psychometric properties, with adequate reliability, divergent validity, and discriminative power. The internal consistency of factors was found to be good, with all alpha coefficients above 0.7.…”

“…Sheard, 2010). While qualitative research helped to identify some of the key attributes of mentally tough athletes, much less attention was given to issues of measurement (Crust, 2008;Sheard, Golby, & van Wersch, 2009). However, Clough et al (2002) produced an instrument that has since been used in numerous studies (i.e., Crust & Clough, 2005;Kaiseler, Polman, & Nicholls;Nicholls, Polman, Levy & Backhouse, 2008).…”