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The relationship between mindfulness and self-rated performance in student-athletes: the mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress

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Abstract

The effect mechanism of mindfulness on athletic performance is still trying to be understood. In the present study, we examined the mediating role of depression, anxiety, and stress in the relationship between mindfulness and self-rated performance.Three hundred sixty-three student-athletes (61.2% male, 38.2% female, Mage = 21.47, SD = 3.30) were asked to fill the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Self-rated Performance Questionnaire. While mindfulness was positively related to athletic performance, it was negatively related to depression, anxiety, and stress. The relationship between mindfulness and athletic performance was partially mediated by depression, anxiety, and stress. While the cross-sectional design does not permit causal inferences, these findings raise the possibility, in this population, that mindfulness may positively affect perceived performance by reducing depression, anxiety, and stress.

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Data availability statement

The dataset generated and analyzed during the current study is available from the author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Emre Ozan Tingaz

  2. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Sport Management, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Serdar Solmaz

  3. School of Physical Education and Sports, Physical Education and Sports Teaching Department, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Meryem Altun Ekiz

  4. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sport Education, Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey

    Murat Atasoy

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  1. Emre Ozan Tingaz
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  2. Serdar Solmaz
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Correspondence to Emre Ozan Tingaz.

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The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Rectorate, Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board (Approval No.: 21817443-050.99).

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All athletes were given written information about the study design.

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Tingaz, E.O., Solmaz, S., Ekiz, M.A. et al. The relationship between mindfulness and self-rated performance in student-athletes: the mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress. Sport Sci Health 19, 657–663 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-022-00935-y

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