The Effect of Athletes’ Gratitude on Burnout——Chain Mediating Effects of Social Support and Mental Toughness

In order to explore the effect of athletes' gratitude on athlete burnout,as well as the mediating effects of social support and mental toughness,483 Chinese active athletes were recruited to complete self-report questionnaires,including Gratitude Questionnaire,Perceived Available Support in Sport Questionnaire,Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire,Athlete Burnout Questionnaire.The results showed that 1)Gratitude could negatively predict athlete burnout.This meant that gratitude could play inhibiting effect on athlete burnout.2)Gratitude could affect athlete burnout not only through direct effect,but also through the mediating effects of social support and mental toughness.Specifically,there existed two indirect paths,namely through the mediating effect of mental toughness,through the chain mediating effects of social support and mental toughness.To some degree,the mediating effect model in this study could explain the mechanism of gratitude impacting athlete burnout,which had important reference value for the prevention and treatment of athlete burnout.In the future,we can improve athletes' social support and mental toughness by enhancing the level of athletes' gratitude.As a result,athlete burnout may be relieved.