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. 2010 Jan 1;11(1):1-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.09.005.

Self-Protective Changes in Athletic Identity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Britton W Brewer  1 , Allen E Cornelius
Affiliations

Self-Protective Changes in Athletic Identity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Britton W Brewer et al. Psychol Sport Exerc. .

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the possibility of self-protective changes in athletic identity (AI) being initiated after the occurrence of a severe injury. METHOD: People (72 men and 36 women) undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and rehabilitation were asked to complete a measure of AI prior to surgery and measures of AI and rehabilitation progress at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: A repeated-measures ANCOVA controlling for age and gender indicated that AI decreased significantly across the 24-month period following surgery, with the most substantial decline occurring between 6 and 12 months postsurgery. Significantly greater decreases in AI were observed among participants whose rehabilitation progress was slowest from 6 to 12 months postsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that some participants reduced their identification with the athlete role in response to the threat to a positive self-image posed by their ACL injuries and the difficulties they encountered in postoperative rehabilitation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in AIMS scores over time.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationship between change in AIMS scores and change in percent rehabilitated from 6 months postsurgery to 12 months postsurgery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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