The mediating role of mental fatigue awareness in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being among combat athletes.

Authors

Taner Yılmaz, Faik Öz, Oğuzhan Gül, Suzan Dal, Tayfun Kara, Orkun Akkoç, Hamza Küçük, Patricia Roxana Forț, Robert Çitozi, Mustafa Nurullah Kadi, Vlad Adrian Geantă, Viorel Petru Ardelean, Coşkun Yılmaz

Published in

BMC psychology. Jun 19, 2026. Epub Jun 19, 2026.

Abstract

Combat athletes face unique psychological demands, and stress may influence both their cognitive experiences and psychological well-being. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of mental fatigue awareness in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being among combat athletes, thereby contributing to a clearer understanding of a potential cognitive mechanism linking stress to well-being in this population.
A total of 303 combat athletes voluntarily participated. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Mental Fatigue Awareness Scale, and Psychological Well-being Scale. Statistical analyses assessed the direct effects of perceived stress on psychological well-being, the effect of stress on mental fatigue awareness, and the potential mediating role of mental fatigue awareness.
Perceived stress significantly increased mental fatigue awareness (b = 0.732, SE = 0.064, β = 0.549, p = 0.001) and directly decreased psychological well-being (b = - 0.488, SE = 0.166, β = - 0.191, p = 0.004). Mental fatigue awareness negatively affected psychological well-being (b = - 0.374, SE = 0.124, β = - 0.195, p = 0.003) and partially mediated the relationship between stress and well-being (indirect effect: b = - 0.274, SE = 0.115, β = - 0.107, p = 0.003; 95% CI = - 0.504 to - 0.049).
Perceived stress was associated with psychological well-being both directly and indirectly through increased mental fatigue awareness. These findings suggest that mental fatigue awareness may represent a relevant cognitive pathway linking stress perceptions to well-being. Accordingly, stress management and strategies aimed at regulating mental fatigue may be considered as potentially beneficial components in efforts to support psychological well-being among combat athletes.

PMID:
42321877
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Jun 2026.

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