The role of perceived social support, self-efficacy, and psychological skills in psychological resilience: a theoretical model test on academy football players

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Siyahtas A., GÜLER C., TÜKENMEZ A., YURTSEVEN C. N., ERCAN Ö., DAL S., ...More

FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, vol.16, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1716489
  • Journal Name: FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Linguistic Bibliography, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Background Academy football players are continuously challenged in terms of their psychological resilience due to the high pressure competitive environment and developmental demands. In this context, key factors influencing athletes' psychological resilience include perceived social support, self-efficacy, and psychological skills. This study examined the effect of perceived social support on academy football players' psychological resilience, and the mediating roles of self-efficacy and psychological skills.Methods Data were collected through voluntary surveys administered to football players in the academies of professional football clubs in Istanbul between August and September 2025. The study sample consisted of 430 academy players (n = 430) with a mean age of 15.67 +/- 0.96 years. The factor structure of the measurement instruments was examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and the relationships among variables were tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).Results The findings indicated that: (1) perceived social support had no direct significant effect on psychological resilience (95% CI [-0.015, 0.237]); (2) perceived social support exerted a significant direct effect on self-efficacy (beta = 0.475; 95% CI [0.343, 0.589]); and (3) perceived social support indirectly and significantly influenced psychological resilience through self-efficacy and psychological skills (beta = 0.226; 95% CI [0.158, 0.316]). These results suggest that perceived social support does not enhance resilience directly, but rather operates through athletes' self-efficacy beliefs and psychological skills.Conclusion This highlights the importance of both environmental support and individual psychological resources during the transition to professionalism. Accordingly, coaches, mentors, and support staff in football academies are encouraged not only to provide social support but also to implement programs aimed at fostering athletes' self-efficacy.