The Effect of Psychological Skills Training (PST) on Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Mental Toughness in Squash Athletes Aged 17-20 Years

Reza Apriansah; Leon Schwemer; Naila Khanina; Sani Bayu Ashari; Enarnimas Dwi Ratna Damayanti

The Effect of Psychological Skills Training (PST) on Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Mental Toughness in Squash Athletes Aged 17-20 Years

Authors

Reza Apriansah Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Leon Schwemer Bielefeld University https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3298-8400
Naila Khanina Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4592-3725
Sani Bayu Ashari Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5628-7239
Enarnimas Dwi Ratna Damayanti Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0080-383X

Keywords:

Squash , Anxiety, Mental Toughness, Psychological Skills Training (PST) , Young Athletes

Abstract

Background: Squash is a high-intensity sport that demands superior physical and psychological endurance. Athletes aged 17-20 often face peak competitive pressure that can increase anxiety and hinder performance. Research Objectives: This study aims to test the effectiveness of an 8-week Psychological Skills Training (PST) program in reducing anxiety and increasing mental toughness in young squash athletes. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test post-test control group design. Thirty competitive squash athletes (age M = 18.6 ± 1.2 years) participated and were randomly divided into an Experimental Group (EG; n = 15) and a Control Group (CG; n = 15). The EG received PST intervention (2x30-minute sessions/week) which included mindfulness, breathing, self-talk, and goal setting exercises in addition to regular training. The CG only continued regular training. Anxiety was measured using the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT), and mental toughness was measured using the Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Data analysis used Paired t-tests and Independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Results: Results showed that the IE experienced a significant decrease in anxiety scores (mean decrease of 6.13 points; p < 0.001) and a significant increase in mental toughness scores (mean increase of 8.40 points; p < 0.001). No significant changes were found in CG (p > 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the 8-week PST program was significantly effective in reducing competitive anxiety and increasing mental toughness in 17-20-year-old squash athletes.

References

Aditya, R. S., Rahmatika, Q. T., Solikhah, F. K., AlMutairi, R. I., Alruwaili, A. S., Astuti, E. S., & Fadila, R. (2024). Mental Toughness May Have an Impact on Athlete’s Performance: Systematic Review. Retos, 56, 328–337. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v56.103768

B Gomez, C. C., Tapanan Jr, D. M. L., C Raganas, J., Y Obando, J. H., A Abella, T. M., P Pepito, S. V., C Alicaya, R. A. B., & B Vence, A. J. (2025). The Psychological Factors Influencing Athletes’ Sports Performance. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 5(4), 1326–1331. https://doi.org/10.62225/2583049X.2025.5.4.4762

Bonetti, R., Roten, F. C. von, & Hauw, D. (2025). Training Psychological Skills: Efficacy and Assessment of a Nonclinical Psychological Sports Coaching E-Intervention for Young Elite Athletes. Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS), 10(2), 021–021. https://doi.org/10.36950/2025.2CISS021

Brown, D. J., & Fletcher, D. (2016). Effects of Psychological and Psychosocial Interventions on Sport Performance: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine 2016 47:1, 47(1), 77–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40279-016-0552-7

Cowden, R. G. (2016). Competitive performance correlates of mental toughness in Tennis: A preliminary analysis. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 123(1), 341–360. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031512516659902;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION

Dana, A., Shahir, V. A., & Ghorbani, S. (2022). The impact of Mindfulness and Mental Skills Protocols on Athletes’ Competitive Anxiety. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 14(1), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.2478/BHK-2022-0017

James, C., Jones, T., & Farra, S. (2022). Physiological and Performance Correlates of Squash Physical Performance. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 21(1), 82–90. https://doi.org/10.52082/JSSM.2022.82

Jones, T. W., Williams, B. K., Kilgallen, C., Horobeanu, C., Shillabeer, B. C., Murray, A., & Cardinale, M. (2018). A review of the performance requirements of squash. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 13(6), 1223–1232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954118792492;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION

Kahalekar, J. G. (2024). ROLE OF SPORT PSYCHOLOGY IN ENHANCEMENT OF SPORT PERFORMANCE. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 5(7SE), 279-282–279–282. https://doi.org/10.29121/SHODHKOSH.V5.I7SE.2024.6179

Li, H., Yang, Q., & Wang, B. (2025). Effects of psychological interventions on anxiety in athletes: a meta-analysis based on controlled trials. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1621635. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2025.1621635/BIBTEX

Martens, R., Vealey, R. S., & Burton, D. (1990). Competitive anxiety in sport. In Competitive anxiety in sport. Human Kinetics.

Miçooğullari, B. O., & Kirazci, S. (2016). Effects of 6 Weeks Psychological Skill Training on Team Cohesion, Self-confidence & Anxiety: A Case of Youth Basketball Players. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 4(12), 2761–2768. https://doi.org/10.13189/UJER.2016.041210

Mojtahedi, D., Dagnall, N., Denovan, A., Clough, P., Dewhurst, S., Hillier, M., Papageorgiou, K., Perry, J., Mojtahedi, D., Dagnall, N., Denovan, A., Clough, P., Dewhurst, S., Hillier, M., Papageorgiou, K., & Perry, J. (2023). Competition Anxiety in Combat Sports and the Importance of Mental Toughness. Behavioral Sciences 2023, Vol. 13, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/BS13090713

Murray, S., James, N., Hughes, M. D., Perš, J., Mandeljc, R., & Vučković, G. (2016). Effects of rule changes on physical demands and shot characteristics of elite-standard men’s squash and implications for training. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(23), 2170–2174. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1216155;SUBPAGE:STRING:ACCESS

Murray, S., James, N., Perš, J., Mandeljc, R., & Vučković, G. (2019). Using a situation awareness approach to identify differences in the performance profiles of the world’s top two squash players and their opponents. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(MAY), 450620. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2019.01036/BIBTEX

Rasyid, N. M., Lee, J. L. F., Nadzalan, A. M., & Tengah, R. Y. (2019). Relationship Between Mental Toughness, Sports Competition Anxiety and Performance among Women’s Hockey Team. 94–97. https://doi.org/10.2991/ACPES-19.2019.21

Reinebo, G., Alfonsson, S., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Rozental, A., & Lundgren, T. (2023). Effects of Psychological Interventions to Enhance Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine 2023 54:2, 54(2), 347–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40279-023-01931-Z

Sheard, M., Golby, J., & Van Wersch, A. (2009). Progress toward construct validation of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 25(3), 186–193. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759.25.3.186

Soundara Pandian, P. R., Balaji Kumar, V., Kannan, M., Gurusamy, G., & Lakshmi, B. (2023). Impact of mental toughness on athlete’s performance and interventions to improve. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 34(4), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1515/JBCPP-2022-0129/XML

Thiessen, B., Blacker, M., & Sullivan, P. (2024). Mental toughness and choking susceptibility in athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1414499. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2024.1414499/BIBTEX

Vella-Fondacaro, D., Romano-Smith, S., Vella-Fondacaro, D., & Romano-Smith, S. (2023). The Impact of a Psychological Skills Training and Mindfulness-Based Intervention on the Mental Toughness, Competitive Anxiety, and Coping Skills of Futsal Players—A Longitudinal Convergent Mixed-Methods Design. Sports 2023, Vol. 11, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/SPORTS11090162

Wilkinson, M., Cooke, M., Murray, S., Thompson, K. G., Clair Gibson, A. S. T., & Winter, E. M. (2012). Physiological correlates of multiple-sprint ability and performance in international-standard squash players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(2), 540–547. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0B013E318220DDBB

Wong, R. S. K., How, P. N., & Cheong, J. P. G. (2022). The Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Training Program on Selected Psychological Indices and Sports Performance of Sub-Elite Squash Athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2022.906729

Downloads

Published

2026-09-19

How to Cite

Apriansah, R., Schwemer, L., Khanina, N., Ashari, S. B., & Dwi Ratna Damayanti , E. (2026). The Effect of Psychological Skills Training (PST) on Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Mental Toughness in Squash Athletes Aged 17-20 Years . Journal of Racket Sports Performance & Science (JRSPS), 2(1), 1–8. Retrieved from https://journal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/jrsps/article/view/53091