Psychology of Injury Flashcards

Which athlete is at HIGHEST psychological risk following an injury, based on pre-injury vulnerability factors?

Answer: A rookie athlete with high trait anxiety and history of depression

High trait anxiety, limited coping experience, and a history of mental health issues are pre-injury factors that increase psychological risk following injury.

Goal setting during rehabilitation is MOST effective when goals are:

Answer: Short-term, process-oriented, and collaboratively set with the athlete

Short-term process goals that the athlete helps set provide attainable milestones, enhance self-efficacy, and maintain motivation throughout rehabilitation.

An AT observes that an athlete consistently fails to attend rehabilitation sessions without explanation. This behavior MOST likely indicates:

Answer: Avoidance coping and possible psychological distress

Repeated avoidance of rehabilitation is a behavioral indicator of poor adjustment and may signal underlying psychological distress requiring intervention.

Which psychological construct refers to an athlete's belief in their own ability to successfully execute sport-specific tasks after injury?

Answer: Return-to-sport self-efficacy

Return-to-sport self-efficacy specifically measures an athlete's confidence in their ability to perform sport tasks safely after an injury.

Which of the following describes the concept of athletic identity and its relationship to injury?

Answer: Athletes with high athletic identity may experience greater identity loss and psychological distress when injured

When sport is central to an athlete's self-concept, injury threatens their core identity, making them more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and grief.

An AT working with a team should promote which type of motivational climate to best support injured athletes' psychological well-being?

Answer: Mastery-involving climate focused on personal improvement

A mastery climate emphasizes personal growth and effort over comparison, which supports intrinsic motivation and psychological safety during rehabilitation.

Which statement BEST describes the role of an athletic trainer regarding mental health referrals?

Answer: ATs should recognize psychological distress signs and refer to qualified mental health professionals

Athletic trainers are trained to recognize signs of psychological distress and facilitate referrals, but diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders fall outside their scope of practice.