The Mediating Effect of Self-Determined Motivation in Student-Athlete Perceptions of Coaching Behaviors and its Effect on Grit and Mental Toughness

The aim of this current study was to examine the relationship between coaching behaviors, grit, mental toughness, and motivation. I hypothesized that coaching behaviors would have an indirect influence on grit and mental toughness through the motivational orientations of athletes. To examine these relationships, we surveyed 219 student athletes from Midwestern universities using valid and reliable measures assessing the key constructs in this study. Results revealed significant positive relationships between autonomy-supportive coaching, grit, mental toughness and autonomous motivation. Significant negative relationships between controlling coach, grit, and mental toughness were also found. Path analysis revealed two major findings. A significant positive indirect relationship between autonomy-supportive coaching and mental toughness through autonomous motivation emerged, also controlling coaching had a direct, indirect and total negative effect on grit. I concluded that while modifications need to be made to improve our proposed model, the information found represents important information on how coaching behaviors contribute to mental toughness and grit in athletes.