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Narratives of Collegiate Female Athletes Who Sustained Multiple Injuries

Secrest, Mallory L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1268860521

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Education (MEd), Bowling Green State University, Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies /Kinesiology.
In a “culture of risk,” injuries are an unintentional consequence of sport, rarely talked about, and intentionally down played. Yet, athletes are constantly exposed to the potential for injury. Two models, Williams and Andersen’s (1998) stress and injury model and Wiese-Bjornstal et al.’s (1998) integrated model of response to sport injury and rehabilitative process, guide much of the research on the psychology of injury. This study built on the models, but focused on the psychological outcomes to multiple injuries rather than a single episode. The purpose was to explore athletes’ psychological response to multiple injuries. Four female, multiply injured collegiate athletes participated in two interviews: the first interview was unstructured and explored their sport injury experiences; the second interview was semi-structured and expanded upon issues raised in the first interview. Data were open and axial coded and a narrative approach and creative writing style were utilized in the presentation of the data. Composite monologues and individual narratives were constructed from athletes’ direct quotes and layered with theoretical and research discussion. The following themes are discussed in the narratives: responses to injuries and rehabilitations, interactions with sports medicine team, changing roles and team responsibilities while being multiply injured, coping strategies, social support, mental states associated with returning to sport participation, lessons learned as multiply injured athletes, advice based on the experience of being multiply injured, and injury status at the end of study. Many findings were consistent with the current literature on psychology of injury. Yet, the athletes’ narratives also revealed experiences unique to multiply injured athletes. Similar to the literature, the athletes experienced responses to their injuries like shock, anger, and frustration. The athletes also experienced distrust in their body as a result of their multiple injuries. Overtime, all four athletes did learn to cope with their injuries. Social support from their teammates, coaches, and athletic trainers in addition to adopting alternative roles helped them cope with their multiple injuries. Overall, the athletes’ narratives provide an in-depth understanding of their psychological responses to multiple injuries and have practical implications for sports medicine professionals, coaches, and multiply injured athletes.
Vikki Krane, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Geoffrey Meek, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Matthew Kutz, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
150 p.
Psychology; Sports Medicine
multiple injuries; psychological responses; narrative analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Secrest, M. L. (2010). Narratives of Collegiate Female Athletes Who Sustained Multiple Injuries [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1268860521

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Secrest, Mallory. Narratives of Collegiate Female Athletes Who Sustained Multiple Injuries. 2010. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1268860521.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Secrest, Mallory. "Narratives of Collegiate Female Athletes Who Sustained Multiple Injuries." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1268860521

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.