Relationship between self-concept clarity, mental toughness, athlete engagement, and athlete burnout in swimmers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Athlete burnout is a serious problem faced by many athletes, especially during and after uncertain situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the relationships between self-concept clarity, mental toughness, athlete engagement, and athlete burnout to determine the factors influencing athlete burnout among swimmers and to explore effective strategies to alleviate swimmers' burnout. The study included 189 swimmers (113 female and 76 male) aged 9−25 years (M = 13.71; SD = 2.57). They completed the Self-Concept Clarity Scale, Mental Toughness Inventory, Athlete Engagement Questionnaire, and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. The results showed that the direct effect of self-concept clarity on athlete burnout was negative and significant (β = −0.43, p < 0.001); the mediating effect of athlete engagement (−0.10, 95% CI: −0.18, −0.04) and the chain mediating effect of mental toughness and athlete engagement (−0.13, 95% CI: −0.21, −0.06) on athlete burnout were also significant. However, mental toughness had no significant mediating effect on the relationship between self-concept clarity and athlete burnout. These results suggest that self-concept clarity is associated with swimmers' burnout via mental toughness and athlete engagement. Therefore, maintaining and promoting self-concept clarity, enhancing mental toughness, and athlete engagement may be effective strategies to alleviate burnout in swimmers. These findings can be useful for helping swimmers manage their mental state and to provide practical guidance for administrators and coaches during the training process.