Athletes’ Experiences of Severe Injuries as a Career-Change Event

In this article we apply the Scheme of Change for Sport Psychology Practice (Samuel & Tenenbaum, 2011a) analyzing six case studies of competitive athletes who have rehabilitated from a severe injury. The athletes completed measures of change-event experience, coping strategy usage, and athletic identity at three points of the injury process. They exhibited similar change processes characterized by a reduction of emotional disturbance, maintenance of high athletic identity, a strategic decision to consult with others, and a subsequent decision to make the necessary adjustments to actively cope. The discussion offers conceptual considerations and implications for practice.