Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management

Athlete Coping: Personality Dimensions of Recovery from Injury
Randall E. Osborne, Seth A. Doty

Abstract
Athletic injury is a devastating and common occurrence that can happen in any sport. Injured athletes often require resources and treatment to be able to return to the field of play. Athletes become more involved with physical and mental treatment as the length of recovery time increases. Recent research suggests that there may be personality traits that directly correlate to athletic injury. The current study investigated the potential relationship between personality traits and recovery time; more specifically, the personality traits of locus of control, hardiness, social support, competitive trait anxiety and the “Big 5” personality traits. Results indicated that athletes with a higher internal locus of control tend to report being physically ready to return to play and “ready” to return to play faster than those with an external locus of control. Additionally, Openness to Experience (among the Big 5 personality dimensions) was also related to speed of return to play.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpesm.v9n1a1