Can psychological attributes predict the playing level of Icelandic footballers four to five years later?

Objectives: This study aimed to examine (i) gender differences in 2024 playing levels among Icelandic youth footballers assessed in 2020/21, (ii) whether psychological skills (PS), mental toughness (MT), and competition anxiety (CA) differed across playing levels, (iii) how gender and playing levels interacted with PS, MT, and CA scores, and (iv) whether PS, MT, CA, and gender could predict playing levels in 2024. Methods: A total of 826 youth Icelandic footballers (mean age: 15.7; 75.7% male) completed the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS), Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) og Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)questionnaires in 2020/21. Playing levels were retrieved from the Football Association of Iceland (KSI) website late 2024. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression. Results: Male players were more likely to continue playing and reach higher levels, while female players were more likely to retire (59.9% vs. 44.8%). Retired athletes scored significantly lower on MT and PS and higher on CA than those playing at elite levels. Gender differences and interactions with playing level were found in anxiety. Regression analysis showed that youth national team experience was the strongest predictor of the 2024 playing level. MT approached significance; PS and CA were not significant predictors. Discussion: Psychological characteristics were associated with playing level, but not robust predictors of progression. This suggests that long-term success in football is influenced by multiple factors, including physical, technical, and environmental aspects. Still, early attention to psychological development, especially among female athletes, remains vital. Keywords: Football, psychological skills, mental toughness, competition anxiety, gender differences

Author dc:creator

• Guðjón Árni Antoníusson 1983-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Íþróttafræði
• Meistaraprófsritgerðir
• Knattspyrna
• Hugræn fræði
• Kvíði
• Kynjamunur
• Psychological studies
• Sport science
• Football
• Soccer
• Gender difference
• Anxiety

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/51028

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/51028