Structural model of psychological toughness based on personality traits with the mediating role of psychological capital in athletes in Qom

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.

2 marand paym noor Department of Sport Management, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

3 M.Sc. Student Department of Sport Sciences, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to present a psychological toughness model based on personality traits with the mediating role of psychological capital in athletes in Qom city.
Method: The present study was a descriptive-correlational structural equation modeling study. The statistical population included all athletes with a history of regular sports activity in Qom city in 1404. 200 people were selected by convenience sampling using an online questionnaire. The tools used included psychological toughness, psychological capital, and the Big Five personality traits (NEO) questionnaires. Analyses were performed with SPSS-26 and AMOS-24 software.
Findings: The fit of the final model after correction (by adding covariance between errors and removing non-significant paths) was at an acceptable level (GFI=0.92, CFI=0.93, RMSEA=0.09). Neuroticism (P=0.035, β=-0.13), conscientiousness (P=0.001, β=0.38) and psychological capital (P=0.001, β=0.42) had a direct effect on hardiness. Neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness had an indirect effect on hardiness through psychological capital. It is noteworthy that the inconsistency in the significance of the relationship between neuroticism and psychological capital in the correlation and structural model is due to the phenomenon of statistical suppression.
Conclusion: Considering the mediating role of psychological capital and the effect of adaptive traits (conscientiousness and extraversion), designing interventions based on psychological capital and personality-based career counseling is suggested to enhance hardiness in athletes. Also, methodological limitations (available sampling) reveal the need for future research with random samples.

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 May 2026
  • Revise Date: 20 July 2026
  • Accept Date: 04 August 2026
  • Publish Date: 23 September 2026

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