SITUATIONAL CORRELATES OF EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENT TO ATHLETIC INJURY

Patients at a sports medicine clinic served as subjects in an investig ation of the relationship between various situational variables and em otional adjustment to athletic injury. Physician-rated current injury status, perceived impairment of sport performance, and perceived socia l support for rehabilitation were significantly correlated with postin jury depression. Age was negatively associated with postinjury mood di sturbance. In general, patients demonstrated a positive mental health profile. The results suggest that although most patients cope well wit h their injuries, some patients experience clinically meaningful psych ological distress that is associated with certain situational factors.