Date of Award
Summer 8-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy - School Psychology
Department
Human Services
First Advisor
Luis E. Aguerrevere, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Robyn H. Whitehead, Psy.D.
Third Advisor
Frankie Clark, Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Nina Ellis-Hervey, Ph.D.
Abstract
Pain is a universal unpleasant or negative experience influenced by physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. Disruption in the neural pathways of pain can affect athletic performance and lead to injury risks. Both negative attributes, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and positive attributes, such as mental toughness and self-efficacy, contribute to pain perception and catastrophic thinking. The menstrual cycle also plays a critical role in pain catastrophizing, as hormonal fluctuations across different phases may hinder pain perception and performance in female athletes. However, research lacks the inclusion of how these factors impact female athletes. Using a non-experimental quantitative analysis, this study examined the variables of pain catastrophizing and its relationship with perceived athletic performance, mental toughness, and self-efficacy in female athletes during different phases of their menstrual cycle. The findings indicated that self-efficacy and mental toughness were significant predictors of perceived athletic performance, while depression and anxiety were significant predictors of pain catastrophizing. No menstrual cycle phase significantly predicted either outcome. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of how psychological factors influence female athlete performance and pain perception.
Repository Citation
Martinez, Carissa R., "Examining Pain Catastrophizing, Mental Toughness, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Pain in the Performance of Female Athletes During Their Menstrual Cycle" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 678.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/678
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Endocrinology Commons, Exercise Science Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Pain Management Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Psychology of Movement Commons, Quantitative Psychology Commons, Sports Sciences Commons, Sports Studies Commons, Women's Health Commons
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