The Relationship between Coach's Perceived Behavior, Perceived Motivational Climate and Mental Toughness in Youth Female Footballer

Mental toughness, Perceived Motivational Atmosphere, and Perceived Coach Behavior are three psychological structures affecting athletic performance at High skill levels that have not been studied among female teenager athletes. The purpose of this study is to examine these three structures among female teenager footballers.
 

146 of female footballers between 12-15 years of age (mean age 12.9± 1.04), who participated in the national football team's selection, voluntarily participated in this research. The data collection tools were mental toughness (SMTQ), Perceived Motivational Climate (PMCSQ), and Perceived Coach Behavior (LSS) questionnaires. The data was analyzed by structural equation modeling applying Amos22 and at the significant level of P≤0.05.
 

The results of structural equation modeling revealed suitable fit indices. The relationship between supportive coach behaviors with mental toughness and the relationship between democratic coach behaviors with mastery atmosphere were significant, while the rest of the relations were not significant.
 

In the eyes of young female footballers, unsupportive coaching behaviors and supportive coach behaviors can foster a motivational atmosphere toward performing tasks and create mental fortitude, respectively.