Date of Award
10-2024
Document Type
Doctoral Research Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Vida Tyc, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Anthony LoGalbo, Ph.D., ABPP-CN
Third Advisor
Scott Gustafson, Ph.D., ABPP
Fourth Advisor
Robyn Tapley, Psy.D.
Abstract
Concussion has recently emerged as a public health issue due to rising incidence rates and negative clinical outcomes. In an attempt to further elucidate post-concussive processes, individual-specific factors have become increasingly examined. The Wiese-Bjornstal (1998) injury model and the Folkman and Lazarus (1985) model of stress and coping, have also been theorized as a valuable way to conceptualize the method by which athletes psychologically evaluate their injury. This study sought to provide information related to interactions between athletic identity and grit, factors influencing athletic identity and grit at baseline, changes in athletic identity and grit following a concussion, and the relationships between athletic identity, grit, and post-concussive primary appraisal, depression, and anxiety to better inform multidimensional concussion prevention and treatment strategies.
This study consisted of 336 student-athletes at baseline and 25 concussed student-athletes (17-25 yrs). Findings indicated that athletic identity and grit were positively associated at baseline but were no longer significantly associated at post-injury. The presence of depression and anxiety were also significantly associated with lower grit at baseline. Additionally, concussed athletes with higher baseline athletic identity were found to appraise their injury event as more stressful than those with low baseline athletic identity. Lastly, changes in grit from baseline to post-injury were associated with post-concussive anxiety. The collective results of this study suggest that interventions or rehabilitation efforts addressing athletic identity, grit, and mental health are essential for enhancing the psychological well-being of student-athletes at baseline and supporting post-concussive recovery, particularly in managing stress appraisal and anxiety.
Recommended Citation
Clise, Evan, "Athletic Identity, Grit, and Post-Concussive Beliefs/Outcomes in Student-Athletes" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1537.
https://repository.fit.edu/etd/1537
