PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS OF ATHLETIC INJURIES AS PERCEIVED BY ATHLETIC TRAINERS

This study investigated the perceptions of certified athletic trainers concerning their attitudes, beliefs, and application of a variety of psychological strategies and techniques used in the treatment and reha bilitation of athletic injuries. The Athletic Training and Sport Psych ology Questionnaire (ATSPQ) was adapted from instruments developed by Wiese, Weiss, and Yukelson (1991) and Brewer, Van Raalte, and Linder ( 1991). The ATSPQ, a letter of introduction, and a self-addressed stamp ed envelope were distributed to 1,000 certified athletic trainers rand omly selected from the membership database maintained by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). Only 482 (48.2%) of these quest ionnaires returned were usable. 47% of athletic trainers who responded believe that every injured athlete suffers psychological trauma. 24% reported that they have referred an athlete for counseling for situati ons related to their injury, and 25% reported that they have a sport p sychologist as a member of their sports medicine team. This study conc ludes that future education of athletic trainers should address the ps ychological aspects of injury treatment as well as the development of a sport psychology referral network.