Review and critique of models of psychological adjustment to athletic injury

Abstract

Abstract Empirical support for stage and cognitive appraisal models of psychological adjustment to athletic injury is reviewed. Both emotional and behavioral adjustment to athletic injury are considered. Stage models are shown to lack consistent empirical support. It is argued that based on extant research findings, cognitive appraisal models provide a more viable conceptualization of the process of coping with athletic injury. Methodological issues in research addressing psychological adjustment to athletic injury are discussed.