Validating the self-talk questionnaire of athletes and how it affects athletes’ mental toughness?

Abstract

This study aimed to validate its psychometric properties to detect the self-talk of athletes and how it affects their mental toughness. The participants were 93 athletes from Bekasi, Indonesia. Data were collected randomly in an online form. Rasch analysis was utilized to evaluate the validity and reliability of the self-talk questionnaire in the Indonesian version with 5 Likert scales, and linear regression was used for hypothesis analysis. The results showed that the self-talk questionnaire in the Indonesian version achieved validity and reliability criteria based on Rasch parameters with five rating scales. The questionnaire data revealed strong positive connections between self-talk and mental toughness. Challenge had the largest effect on negative self-talk, while control had the largest effect on positive self-talk. In conclusion, self-talk has a significant impact on athletes’ mental toughness.