Examining the influence of mindset skills on athletic success and happiness of college football players

ABSTRACT

Building on recent research in high performance mindsets and their correlation to high performing people in the workplace, academic success as well as athletic performance, this study aimed to examine the happiness of high performing people. This study examines the relationship between the noncognitive skills of self-awareness, self-discipline, internal locus of control with sport performance, growth mindset and happiness of college football players during the COVID-19 pandemic school year. Participants were 99 undergraduate college football players from four different private universities within the United States. The results indicated that year in school predicted athletic performance. The mindset skills of intrinsic motivation, grit, and hope will help student athletes to stay in their athletic programs which in turn will lead to a higher level of performance. Student athletes that trust the process and remain in the program longer will have a greater likelihood of higher athletic achievement. Year in school along with internal locus of control predict growth mindset among participants. Self-awareness and internal locus of control were significant predictors of happiness amongst participants. College athletes and college students in general need learning opportunities in the mindset skills of self-awareness and internal locus of control. These mindset skills will help them balance their busy lives, maintain a growth mindset and be happy. Curriculum around these mindset skills needs to continue to be developed and tested for effectiveness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)