The mediating effect of beliefs about difficulties in the relation between grit and persistence

Individuals with high levels of grit are passionate about achieving their targets and persist in realizing challenging goals. However, there is limited research on the mechanisms that explain why people with high levels of grit can persistently work toward challenging goals. This study seeks to fill the knowledge gap by identifying beliefs about difficult experiences as a mediating factor in the relationship between grit and persistence, in addition to a growth mindset. Study 1, including 221 Japanese participants, showed that the association between grit and persistence was mediated by beneficial beliefs about difficult experiences, rather than by a self-regulating growth mindset. Study 2, including 346 Japanese participants, showed that the association between grit and persistence was mediated by beneficial beliefs about difficult experiences, and not by a growth mindset about intelligence or beliefs about the utility of effort. These findings show that beliefs about difficult experiences are a mediating factor in the relationship between grit and persistence. Interventions targeting beliefs about difficult experiences may thus be effective in promoting persistence.