The facilitative nature of avoidance coping within sports injury rehabilitation

Abstract

Avoidance coping has commonly been reported within literature to be a debilitative process. However, in situations where goal attainment is reduced or eradicated avoidance coping strategies appear to have some benefit. The aim of this study was to identify the role of avoidance coping within the sports injury rehabilitation setting. A mixed methodological approach was utilized with four professional male rugby union players, concurrent with their rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Twice monthly interviews were conducted with each player, along with a self-report diary and the Coping with Health, Injuries and Problems (CHIP; Endler & Parker, 2000) inventory. Content analysis showed six higher-order themes split into two general dimensions: (a) behavioral avoidance coping (physical distraction, social interaction, maladaptive behaviors), and (b) cognitive avoidance coping (denial, thought stopping, cognitive distraction). Results suggest avoidance coping strategies facilitate control of short-term emotional states, as well has appearing to have long-term benefits for injured players. Particular benefits were associated with undertaking alternate work within the sports organization.

Psychosocial factors influencing the recovery of athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury: A systematic review

“…In line with coping strategies, Carson and Polman (2010) showed that behavioral as well as cognitive avoidance coping strategies were used equally by the professional rugby players in this study, and that these strategies had positive short-and long-term effects. A common type of strategy was the use of both behavioral (e.g., performing a new hobby) and cognitive (e.g., refusing to watch games) distraction coping.…”

Psychosocial factors associated with outcomes of sports injury rehabilitation in competitive athletes: a mixed studies systematic review

“…Avoidance focused coping strategies were suggested as being both facilitative47 and also debilitative 41 45. A mixed-method study47 of elite professional rugby players found that behavioural and cognitive avoidance coping strategies enhanced perceptions of recovery.…”

“…Avoidance focused coping strategies were suggested as being both facilitative47 and also debilitative 41 45. A mixed-method study47 of elite professional rugby players found that behavioural and cognitive avoidance coping strategies enhanced perceptions of recovery. In contrast two studies credited using avoidance coping with less successful rehabilitation outcomes such as a delay in psychological rehabilitation,45 and associated increase in TNM 41…”

Experiences of coping with injury in Division I athletes from low-to-middle socioeconomic status backgrounds

“…Many researchers have investigated the coping strategies that athletes employ during the injury process using both quantitative instruments (Albinson & Petrie, 2003;Quinn & Fallon, 1999, 2000 and qualitative interviews (Bianco et al, 1999;Carson & Polman, 2010;Ford & Gordon, 1999;Podlog & Eklund, 2006). Injured athletes have used problem-focused coping strategies, such as gathering information on the recovery and rehabilitation processes (Carson & Polman, 2008), instrumental coping (Bianco et al, 1998;Hoar & Flint, 2008;Udry, 1997), and active planning (Hagger et al, 2005;Quinn & Fallon, 1999, 2000.…”