A Comparison of Coping Responses Among High School and College Athletes With Concussion, Orthopedic Injuries, and Healthy Controls

Abstract

This study compared the coping responses of concussed athletes with those with an orthopedic injury and healthy controls and explored sex differences in coping behaviors following sport injury. Sixty-eight athletes with a concussion (CONCUSS), 42 with an orthopedic injury (ORTHO), and 33 healthy controls (CONTROL) completed the Brief COPE approximately 1 week following sport injury. The CONCUSS group reported lower active, planning, acceptance, religion, self-distraction, venting, and self-blame coping than the ORTHO group. The ORTHO group reported lower acceptance, venting, and substance use coping than CONTROLS. Females reported higher levels of planning, humor, instrumental support, and venting than males. Females reported more venting than males in the ORTHO and CONTROL groups, but not in the CONCUSS group. In conclusion, concussed athletes may not engage in coping to the same extent as athletes with other injuries.

Keywords:

• coping
• mild traumatic brain injury
• sport-related concussion
• orthopedic injury
• psychology of sport injury