The relationship between mental toughness and athlete burnout with the moderating role of perceived competence

This study aimed to examine the relationship between mental toughness and athlete burnout, considering the moderating role of perceived competence. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in method. The statistical population consisted of student athletes in Bojnourd city, enrolled in the first and second high school levels. Using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, the estimated sample size ranged from 160 to 280, and data from 273 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Standardized instruments measuring mental toughness, athletes' burnout, and perceived competence were used, all of which were confirmed to be valid and reliable. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 and Smart-PLS 3.2.8. Findings revealed a negative and significant relationship between mental toughness and sports burnout. Similarly, perceived competence showed a negative association with sports burnout and played a significant moderating role in the relationship between mental toughness and burnout. Additionally, burnout was found to be strongly and positively related to emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation. Overall, the results suggest that athlete burnout is a multidimensional phenomenon that negatively impacts athletes’ mental health and social functioning. The study highlights the importance of perceived competence as a protective factor, capable of buffering the adverse effects of burnout and enhancing psychological resilience in student-athletes athlete.