Relación entre personalidad grit, mindfulness y ansiedad, y diferencias por sexo en atletas de la selección Sonora

Introduction: Athletes often train in demanding and competitive environments. Considering psychological variables such as grit and mindfulness can be crucial for maintaining optimal performance and managing anxiety. Objective: To examine the relationships between sports grit, mindfulness, and anxiety, as well as to compare their levels between male and female athletes. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 184 athletes aged 9 to 22 years. Three validated instruments were applied: the Sports Grit Scale, the Mindfulness Scale, and an anxiety test. Data was analyzed using SPSS v25.0 and JASP 0.19.1, employing non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U) and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Athletes showed high levels in the grit dimension "self-improvement" (M=4.54) and low levels in "giving up" (M=1.44). No significant differences in grit were found by gender (p=0.88), but women exhibited higher anxiety (p<0.01) and lower mindfulness (p<.01). Negative correlations were found between anxiety and mindfulness (r=-.60, p<.01), and between anxiety and grit (r=-.20, p<.05). Discussion: The results align with previous studies highlighting the protective role of grit and mindfulness against anxiety, though they contrast with findings reporting gender differences in grit. The absence of a correlation between mindfulness and grit suggests unexplored mediators, such as self-compassion. Conclusions: Athletes from the Sonora national team exhibit high levels of grit and mindfulness, associated with lower anxiety. Gender-specific interventions and future longitudinal studies to establish causal relationships are recommended.