Mental Toughness in Indian Elite Athletes: Psychometric Validation of the Psychological Performance Inventory

Background: Mental toughness is one of the psychological dimensions considered essential for performance in sports. In this study, the Psychometric validation of the Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI) was validated for the measurement of mental toughness in elite athletes. Materials and method: A sample of 76 elite athletes was selected via purposive sampling. To assess mental toughness, we used the Psychological Performance Inventory, by Loehr (1986). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the factor structure of the Psychological Performance Inventory in an Indian context. Results: The mean scores for negative energy control, positive energy control, attention control, and attitude control were 3.41 (SD = .18), 3.88 (SD = .23), 3.68 (SD = .15), and 3.86 (SD = .23), respectively. Only 29 items were adequately internally consistent in assessing mental toughness for Indian elite athletes. In composite reliability (CR), all factors had values above .85, indicating good reliability.

Conclusion: The lack of success among elite Indian athletes is their excessive focus on affective skills, neglect of cognitive skills. Balancing affective and cognitive skills is the way to improve mental toughness,