POSITIVE STATES OF MIND AND ATHLETIC INJURY RISK

Horowitz, Adler, and Kegeles (10) recently developed the Positive Stat es of Mind (PSOM) scale to assess the ability to achieve desirable sta tes of mind. According to a stress and injury model (4), a theoretical foundation exists for the PSOM being used to predict vulnerability to athletic injuries. In the first study, 277 collegiate athletes from 1 0 sports completed the PSOM. The scale showed good internal consistenc y; Cronbach's alpha was .77 for the six items. Principle components fa ctor analysis revealed two distinct factors. No sex or ethnic differen ces occurred for the total PSOM scale or the two factors. In the secon d study, injury data were gathered throughout the season on 82 athlete s who completed the PSOM. Pearson-product correlations revealed the fa ctor, Focused on Task, significantly correlated with injury. Athletes able to attain higher positive states of mind were less at risk for in jury. The studies indicate the acceptability of using the PSOM with an athletic population and its usefulness as a potential predictor of in jury risk. Future research using the PSOM scale in more general injury and accident investigations is suggested.