Chapter 12: Helping the Injured Athlete Psychologically

©William E. Prentice

OBJECTIVES

When you finish this chapter you will be able to:

• Discuss how athletes might respond to an injury psychologically.

• Describe the progressive reactions to injury, dependent on length of rehabilitation.

• Discuss predictors of injury and interventions.

• Identify stressors in the athlete’s life.

• Discuss the concept of buffers for stress management.

• Discuss the importance of goal setting as a means of making the injured athlete compliant with the rehabilitation program.

• Identify the various considerations in managing the psychological impact of injury.

• Describe the decision-making process for returning the injured athlete to competition.

• Determine the reasons why social support is important to the injured athlete.

• Differentiate between a counselor, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist.

• Compare and contrast the psychological skills training techniques that are used to manage the psychological aspects of injury.

• Recognize the different mental disorders and the appropriate referral and treatment techniques.

INTRODUCTION

When the body is injured, it is likely that the mind is also affected. Research indicates that athletes who experience a negative psychological response to injury have a longer and more difficult period of rehabilitation.^19,42 Therefore, information regarding the effect that injury has on the athlete and the possible psychological care that can be given in the sports setting may facilitate the athlete’s return to play.⁴⁵

Certainly the sports medicine team can have a significant impact on the course of rehabilitation for the injured athlete (Figure 12–1).⁵ The manner in which these individuals interact with the injured athlete and how the athlete responds psychologically to injury collectively dictate the course of a rehabilitative program.¹⁵ The goal is to get the mind, as well as the body, ready to return to competition.⁷ If a sport psychologist is available to the athlete, such a person can be of tremendous value in helping the athlete learn to cope with both the psychological and physical stresses associated with an injury.⁵

Coaches and other fitness professionals who work with competitive or recreational athletes must have an understanding of the athlete’s psychological reaction to injury and how different individuals deal with injury.⁵⁸ The way a coach, fitness professional, or athletic trainer chooses to support the injured athlete during the period of rehabilitation can have a significant impact on the course of that process.⁸ This chapter addresses the athlete’s psychological reaction to injury and suggests what the coach and fitness professional should do to have a positive impact.

THE ATHLETE’S PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO INJURY

Not all athletes deal with injury ...