Bibliometric Mapping of Mental Toughness Research in Sports: Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

This research is a quantitative descriptive study using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach and bibliometric analysis to examine research trends related to mental toughness (MT) in physical education and sports. Research data were collected from the Scopus database using the keywords “mental toughness” and “sports,” which resulted in 386 documents published between 2011 and 2024. A bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer maps revealed patterns of publication, author collaborations, and keyword co-occurrences. The results show five main scientific fields in MT research: Psychology, Medicine, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Prolific authors include Gucciardi, D.F., and Crust, L. The UK, the United States, and Australia are the most dominant countries in terms of publication. Co-occurrence analysis yields six thematic clusters, including developmental psychology, athlete performance, mental health, and student-athlete well-being. This study demonstrates that MT is a crucial multidisciplinary topic in enhancing sports performance and education. However, the limitations of using a single database are essential considerations for expanding the scope of future research to other databases, such as Web of Science. These findings are relevant for coaches, educators, and researchers developing evidence-based interventions to foster mental toughness.