Resilience to Failure and Mental Health in Elite Athletes: Psychological and Structural Perspectives

• 발행기관: 한국스포츠과학회
• 저자명: Hyunkyun AHN Kyung YOO Seonwook BAEK Hwang-Woon MOON
• 간행물 정보: 『The Journal of Sport and Applied Science』Vol.9 No.1, 31~45쪽, 전체 15쪽
• 주제분류: 경제경영 > 경영학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2025.03.30

국문 초록

Purpose: This study explores how resilience to failure influences mental health and career sustainability among elite athletes in South Korea. While previous research has examined failure and self-efficacy, limited attention has been given to the role of structural and cultural factors in shaping athletes’ failure perception and recovery. Research design, data, and methodology: Using a qualitative case study approach, this study employs thematic analysis to examine semi-structured interviews with ten elite athletes from individual and team sports. Results: The findings reveal three key insights. First, failure is perceived not only as a performance setback but also as a threat to identity, increasing anxiety and psychological distress. Second, resilience serves as a protective factor for athletes’ mental health, shaped by both psychological and social resources; highly resilient athletes reframe failure as a learning opportunity, while those with low resilience experience self-doubt and emotional strain. Third, social support and autonomy-supportive coaching enhance resilience and well-being, whereas hierarchical and performance-driven environments reinforce fear of failure. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the need for systematic psychological support, coaching strategies, and organizational policies that foster resilience and normalize failure as part of athletic growth, ultimately promoting athlete well-being and career longevity.

목차

1. Introduction

2. Methods

3. Result

4. Discussion

5. Conclusion

References

키워드

Resilience to failure Elite athletes Failure in elite sports Coaching reform Mental health