ATC Psychology of Injury 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the integrated model of psychological response to sport injury, what is the FIRST factor that influences an athlete's emotional response?
- Situational factors
- Coping resources
- Cognitive appraisal (Correct answer)
- Behavioral responses
Correct answer: Cognitive appraisal
In Wiese-Bjornstal's integrated model, cognitive appraisal of the injury is the initial mediating factor that shapes subsequent emotional and behavioral responses.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes secondary gain in the context of athletic injury?
- An athlete training harder to compensate for a teammate's injury
- An athlete subconsciously prolonging injury to avoid competition pressure (Correct answer)
- An athlete gaining muscle strength in the uninjured limb during rehab
- An athlete earning scholarship money as a result of a publicized injury
Correct answer: An athlete subconsciously prolonging injury to avoid competition pressure
Secondary gain occurs when an athlete unconsciously or consciously maintains injury symptoms to avoid an undesirable situation like performance pressure or team conflict.
Question 3: Social support during injury rehabilitation is MOST effective when it is:
- Provided exclusively by the coaching staff
- Matched to the athlete's perceived needs at that time (Correct answer)
- Focused primarily on informational support about the injury
- Consistent and the same throughout all phases of recovery
Correct answer: Matched to the athlete's perceived needs at that time
Research shows that support perceived as relevant and appropriate to the athlete's current needs is more beneficial than generic or mismatched support.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of TANGIBLE (instrumental) social support for an injured athlete?
- Telling the athlete you believe they will recover
- Driving the athlete to physical therapy appointments (Correct answer)
- Explaining the anatomy of the injury in detail
- Listening while the athlete expresses frustration
Correct answer: Driving the athlete to physical therapy appointments
Tangible or instrumental support involves providing direct practical assistance, such as transportation, financial help, or physical aid.
Question 5: An AT uses mental imagery with a post-surgical knee patient. Which type of imagery would be MOST appropriate in the early stages of rehabilitation?
- Motivational general mastery imagery
- Cognitive specific skill imagery
- Healing imagery focused on tissue repair (Correct answer)
- Performance outcome imagery
Correct answer: Healing imagery focused on tissue repair
Healing imagery, where athletes visualize the injured tissue repairing and healing, is most appropriate early in recovery when physical activity is limited.
Question 6: The RESTORES model of referral for mental health in sports medicine stands for which underlying purpose?
- Identifying athletes who need dietary counseling
- Providing a framework to recognize when to refer athletes for psychological services (Correct answer)
- Outlining return-to-play criteria after concussion
- Structuring the AT's clinical documentation process
Correct answer: Providing a framework to recognize when to refer athletes for psychological services
The RESTORES model guides athletic trainers in recognizing psychological distress signs and knowing when to refer athletes to mental health professionals.
Question 7: A high school athlete injured before a championship states, 'Maybe if I pray hard enough I'll be healed by Friday.' According to Kübler-Ross, this reflects which stage?
- Anger
- Depression
- Bargaining (Correct answer)
- Acceptance
Correct answer: Bargaining
Bargaining involves making deals or seeking conditions that might reverse or lessen the impact of a loss or difficult situation.
ATC Psychology of Injury 3
According to the integrated model of psychological response to sport injury, what is the FIRST factor that influences an athlete's emotional response?