Social Support in Sport Injury Rehabilitation MODULE 9
Social Support in Sport Injury Rehabilitation MODULE 9 PSYCHOLOGY 310: SPORT & INJURY PSYCHOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF MARY INSTRUCTOR: DR. THERESA MAGELKY SPRING 2016
Social Support: Introduction �Social support mediates the stress-health link which enables better ability to cope with stressful events �This reduces the likelihood that stress will lead to ill health �In sport, social support has been identified as a useful coping resource for dealing with a variety of stressors: Performance pressures Unexpected disruption to performance routines Depression resulting from unfulfilled expectations Sport-related burnout Reduced self-confidence
Social Support: Research Support �Research indicates social support is especially important during “times of need, ” such as when an athlete is injured �Social support is a very important part of the coping and rehabilitation process
Social Support in Rehabilitation: Concept Definitions & Purpose �There are many proposed definitions of “social support” �Social support in general can be defined as a coping resource and social “fund” from which people may draw when dealing with stressors �Within the context of sport, social support can be defined as “a multifaceted process in which an athlete is aided by the existence of a caring and supportive network, as well as by their perception of other people’s availability to provide help in times of need and by the actual receipt of support (Rees, 2007)
Mechanisms of Social Support �The integrated model of psychological response to sport injury and rehabilitation process is especially appropriate when considering how social support influences injury rehabilitation Focus on how social support can affect an injured athlete’s cognitive appraisal of their injury (e. g. , athlete’s belief about his/her ability to recover) Their cognitive appraisal then influences their emotional and behavioral responses to the injury, which can be adaptive or maladaptive. For example: � Adaptive responses - feelings of hope; engaging in positive recovery activities such as appropriate self-care (proper diet and sleep, relaxation exercises, etc) � Maladaptive responses – feelings of depression, helplessness, hopelessness, anger; responding with behaviors such as alcohol or drug use, binge-eating, isolating and withdrawing from others, etc. Participating in social support may then influence the athlete’s response to their injury
Mechanisms of Social Support (cont. ) �Social support facilitates injury rehabilitation through two mechanisms described by the following models: Stress-Buffering Model Main Effect Model
Mechanisms of Social Support (cont. ) Stress-Buffering Model – social supports buffers athletes from harmful effects of injury-related stressors � Proposes that high levels of support can provide a ‘shield’ and an indirect support mechanism against potential negative effects of injury including: Unrealistic/negative cognitive appraisals (e. g. , unrealistic expectations regarding recovery rate; decreased self-esteem) Undesired emotional responses (e. g. , feelings of depression or frustration) Undesired behavioral responses (e. g. , lack of rehabilitation adherence, substance abuse) � Stress-buffering model also assumes that social support is not relevant to those who do not perceive their situation (e. g. , the injury) as stressful
Mechanisms of Social Support (cont. ) � Main Effect Model – social support can directly influence an individual’s response to the injury and rehabilitation process by: �How an individual appraises the injury situation cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally �Having a supportive network offers the potential to increase positive affect �This then increases likelihood of an athlete being more realistic about rate of perceived recovery (cognitive appraisal) �Athlete then experiences decreased levels of frustration and more positive attitude towards rehabilitation (emotional response) �This then leads to the potential for enhanced treatment compliance and rehabilitation adherence (behavioral response)
Types of Social Support Five distinct types of social support are considered beneficial during sport injury rehabilitation: 1. Emotional support 2. Technical support 3. Informational support 4. Tangible support 5. Motivational support
Sources of Social Support: �Family and friends According to many studies, family and friends are best source of emotional and listening support �Sport team members Teammates and coaches are best positioned to provide athletes with support in form of technical appreciation and technical challenge Teammates also provide inspiration and motivational support �Sport medicine team members Provide all types of social support as a result of close relationship with athletes during injury rehabilitation Important source of informational support to assist in understanding the injury and rehabilitation process
Using Social Support for Rehabilitation: The Process According to authors of text, social support 1. Is best provided by a network of individuals 2. Needs to be developed and nurtured, and 3. Works best as part of an ongoing program rather than when employed purely as a reaction to a crisis
Using Social Support for Rehabilitation: The Process (cont. ) �Peer modeling – the process of linking a currently injured athlete with another athlete who has experienced a similar rehabilitation process and has recovered to pre-injury performance level �Injury support groups (or performance enhancement groups) – can facilitate the establishment of important networks with other athletes and can offer opportunities to discuss experiences of injury and rehabilitation Can also facilitate motivation Can teach athletes psychological skills to help them cope with the distress caused by injury
Social Support: Issues to Consider �In addition to considering potential types, sources, processes, and mechanisms in which social support is best provided, the following should also be considered: Characteristics of the support provider Concept of perceived versus received support Negative effects of social support
Social Support: Issues to Consider Characteristics of the Support Provider – research suggests those providing social support should: 1. Be a good listener 2. Have the ability to identify personal and gender differences in athletes receiving support 3. Be able to acknowledge both effort and mastery 4. Be able to balance the use of technical appreciation and technical challenge 5. Possess awareness of social support as being necessary yet least available 6. Be able to identify correct interventions for individual athletes
Social Support: Issues to Consider Concept of Perceived Versus Received Support – this is about having a positive perception that support will be available when needed �Can influence views toward rehabilitation �Can facilitate development and use of effective coping skills
Social Support: Issues to Consider Negative Effects of Social Support �If provided insufficiently, social support can have a negative effect on athlete’s overall health and wellbeing �Insufficient rehabilitation guidance, lack of sensitivity to the injury, and lack of concern from others has been found to have a negative effect on athlete & can be detrimental to recovery process
References �Arvinen-Barrow, M. , & Walker, N. (2013). The Psychology of Sport Injury and Rehabilitation (1 st ed. ). Routledege.
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