Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

USM Access Thesis

First Advisor

Dominique Rose PhD., LAT, ATC

Keywords

Health Care Competency, Vitality of The Profession, Health Professions Education, Health Care Economics, and Health Information Technology.

Abstract

Research has shown that the types, severities, and percentages of mental illnesses are growing in young adults aged 18-25. Mental illness may well start before this age group and are finally being reported between the ages 18-25. Many student-athletes report higher levels of negative emotional states and have higher incidence rates of sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, mood disturbances, short tempers, decrease interest in training and competition, decrease self-confidence, and inability to concentrate. Athletes can experience mental health concerns not only from stressors, but also from injury. Student athletes have physiological and emotional reactions after an injury. Observing an athlete after injury and before returning to play can help in detecting a mental health concern. An effective plan for recognition and referral of student athletes with psychological concern can be established to follow when in an emergency. In conclusion, the most important factors when addressing student athlete mental health is education, early recognition of a potential problem, and referral to an effective mental health system. The health care team may make a difference in the life of a student athlete. The purpose of the study is to explore athletic trainers’ clinical experiences with student athlete mental health following injury in the secondary school setting. This project is going to encompass a survey that will be distributed to athletic trainers to explore the clinical experiences with student athletes mental health following injury. The survey will be emailed to Certified Athletic Trainers in the secondary school setting in the state of Maine and informed consent will be obtained. The researchers will collect the data using the USM Qualtrics Platform and analyze. A written report will be completed and a visual presentation performed. The research questions guiding this study include; what are the effects of injury on athletes mental health when returning to sport? What are the perceived factors affecting student athlete mental health following injury? What resources are available to address mental health in athletes following injury? Lastly, how do athletic trainers respond to mental health in athletes following injury?

Comments

MA of Athletics Training

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