Psychological response to athletic injury: The impact of gender, athletic identity, and cognitive appraisal

In order to inform interventions with athletes who have experienced athletic injury, this study investigated the psychological response to injury in Division 1 collegiate athletes by assessing demographics, injury variables, athletic identity, cognitive appraisal, and affective reaction. The Wiese-Bjornstal Integrated Model of Psychological Response to the Sport Injury and Rehabilitation Process was used to identify predictor variables. Step-wise regression models were used to explore predictor variables for the Devastation, Reorganization, Feeling Cheated, Restlessness, and Isolation scales of the Psychological Responses to Sport Injury Inventory. Linear regression models were run controlling for scores on a Depression scale. Results indicated that prediction of negative affective outcomes was associated with history and active participation in the sport, time missed in competition, and identification with an athlete role. Although some evidence was found for a multi-faceted construct with the Devastation and Isolation scales, depression scores are accounting for a large portion of the variability.