THE PSYCHOLOGY OF STRENGTH: MENTAL TOUGHNESS ACROSS CONFLICT AND PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS

Mental toughness (MT) is a multi-faceted concept also known as grit. Grit is an important aspect of mental toughness which involves perseverance and passion towards one’s long-term objectives.The present study aimed to examine the relationship between mental toughness, conflict management, and personality traits among athletes, focusing on how these factors influence performance, resilience, and interpersonal dynamics in sports settings. A quantitative survey design was employed, and a sample of 154 athletes (77 males and 77 females) aged 18–25 years was selected. Standardized tools, including the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), and Mental Toughness Test (MTT)were administered. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test at a significance level of p < 0.05.The results showed significant gender differencesfor extraversion, neuroticism, competing, and control. Malesare said to have a tendency to be extraverted and very competitive.On the other hand, females are more neurotic than males, are emotionally sensitive and experience more pressure when under stress.Therefore, we can conclude that certain personality traits and aspects of conflict significantly influence athletes’ emotional stability, motivation, and performance.