Understanding the influence of socio-economic status, gaslighting, and cognitive interferences on athletic mental energy and subjective vitality: a study of urban and rural sport performers

In contemporary society, socioeconomic status (SES) combines economic standing, social positioning, and resource access, profoundly shaping individual identity and influencing various life domains. Lower SES is closely linked to increased mental health risks, often due to limited resources and social marginalisation. This study investigates the intersection of SES and gaslighting, a psychological manipulation tactic increasingly recognized in sports environments, where it poses significant threats to athletes’ psychological well-being. Phase 1 of the research examines how SES influences exposure to gaslighting in both urban and rural settings, where athletes encounter distinct socioeconomic and mental health challenges. This research addresses a significant gap in the existing literature. While gaslighting has been studied in the contexts of intimate partner violence and politics, its role in sports and its cognitive effects on athletes have received minimal attention. A key focus of this study is the further impact of gaslighting on athletes’ mental energy and vitality—psychological resources essential for sustaining high levels of cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and resilience in sports. Mental energy, characterised by sustained focus, psychological stamina, and vitality, reflecting overall well-being, is pivotal in maintaining athletic performance. Wherein, the negative effects of gaslighting, particularly through cognitive interference, can deplete these resources, reducing athletes’ vigor, confidence, motivation, and calm, and impairing their concentration and performance levels. Therefore, in Phase 2, this study explores how gaslighting disrupts cognitive processes and emotional regulation by introducing cognitive interference, further exacerbating athletes’ challenges. By filling this research gap and analyzing the direct and indirect pathways through which gaslighting impacts mental energy and vitality, this research emphasizes the critical need for tailored interventions that address cognitive processes to mitigate gaslighting’s harmful effects on athletes’ well-being. These insights offer new avenues for supporting athletes’ mental health and resilience across diverse SES contexts, providing a foundation for further study and targeted interventions in sports psychology.