Date

6-17-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Rachel Piferi

Keywords

mental toughness, mental strength, motherhood, resilience, grit, relational toughness, moms, parenting

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how mothers define, experience, and describe mental toughness within the developmental context of motherhood. Mental toughness has been extensively examined in performance-based domains such as sports, education, business and military settings. Limited research has investigated how this construct appears or manifests in caregiving roles. Understanding mental toughness in motherhood may inform how mothers are supported psychologically and contribute to future frameworks, interventions, and systems designed to strengthen maternal well-being, adaptation, and long-term functioning. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which focuses on the perceived ability of individuals to navigate adversity, this study examined mental toughness as a lived psychological experience instead of a performance trait. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 mothers under the age of 55 from diverse demographic backgrounds who had at least one child over the age of 18 living independently for a minimum of three years. Interviews were 60-90 minutes and were transcribed verbatim. Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used to identify significant statements, develop themes and formulate meaning. This study’s findings revealed that mothers defined mental toughness as cognitive and emotional regulation especially during adversity, endurance as a responsibility, and strength supported by faith and prior experience. Mental toughness was experienced as consistent emotional regulation, maternal protection and adaptation while functioning with relentless caregiving demands. Developmentally, mental toughness evolved over time, moving from control and survival to internal adaptation as children matured and gained autonomy. These findings expand existing concepts of mental toughness by demonstrating its relational, developmental and meaning-driven nature within the caregiving realm. This study contributes to the existing literature on mental toughness by expanding the construct beyond performance and highlighting its role in sustained relational responsibility, while also potentially offering a developmentally grounded view of mental toughness within psychological research. The findings provide a foundation for understanding mental toughness beyond performance contexts and offer direction for supporting mothers in sustained, high-responsibility roles.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS