An Empirical Study of Anxiety and Mental Toughness Among Elite Male Cricketers of India
Keywords:
Anxiety, Mental Toughness, Elite Cricketers, Psychological Performance, Indian CricketAbstract
The present study aims to examine the levels of anxiety and mental toughness among elite male cricketers of India and to analyse the relationship between these two crucial psychological variables. Modern cricket places enormous psychological demands on athletes due to performance pressure, media scrutiny, and competitive uncertainty. A sample of elite male cricketers competing at national and first-class levels was selected for the study. Standardized psychological instruments were administered to assess cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and mental toughness. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to determine the overall levels of the selected variables, while inferential statistical techniques were employed to examine their relationships. Pearson’s product-moment correlation revealed a significant negative relationship between mental toughness and cognitive anxiety (r = –0.61, p < 0.05), as well as between mental toughness and somatic anxiety (r = –0.54, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that players with higher mental toughness experience significantly lower levels of competitive anxiety. The results confirm the role of mental toughness as a protective psychological factor that enhances emotional regulation and performance stability. The study highlights the importance of systematic psychological skill training for reducing anxiety and improving performance consistency in elite Indian cricket.
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