Understanding Trauma Awareness and Communication Competency in Athletic Training: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Category

Social Sciences/Humanities

Abstract/Artist Statement

There has long been a link between stress and injury in athletes. Even so, athletic injuries are often viewed as primarily performance issues which ignores potential underlying psychological contributors to the injury. Research has shown that while athletic trainers have some training in psychological competencies, they lack awareness of trauma and self-efficacy in engaging in difficult conversations with athletes. Addressing the whole person within athletic training could reduce injury and improve performance. To consider holistic healing for athletic injury, it is important to incorporate considerations of childhood trauma on athletes’ current well-being. This research will explore the influence of a whole person athletic training workshop on athletic trainers’ trauma awareness and communication competency using a mixed methods sequential explanatory design.

This presentation will include an overview of the background of the problem, and initial results from pre and post assessments including the ACES questionnaire, Trauma System Readiness Tool, Communication Competency, and a Perceived Stress Scale as well as information about the Whole Person Athletic Training workshop and initial selection process for qualitative inquiry.

Viewing athletic injury through a primarily physical ability and performance lens ignores the mind-body approach to recovery. In considering holistic healing for athletic injury, it is important to incorporate the potential influence of trauma, including childhood trauma, on athletes’ current well-being.

ATs may be presented with the unique opportunity to recognize and understand how childhood trauma can contribute to injury in athletes on college campuses. The ability to recognize the presence of childhood trauma, broach the topic with their athletes, and engage in meaningful conversation and psycho-education about the link between trauma and performance could expedite athletes healing from injury, and even prevent recurring injury. The hope of this research is to enhance ATs knowledge and application to apply a holistic treatment approach, and further decrease stigma of mental health seeking within sport culture.

Mentor Name

Veronica Johnson, Ed.D. LCPC

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Feb 24th, 10:00 AM Feb 24th, 10:15 AM

Understanding Trauma Awareness and Communication Competency in Athletic Training: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry

UC 330

There has long been a link between stress and injury in athletes. Even so, athletic injuries are often viewed as primarily performance issues which ignores potential underlying psychological contributors to the injury. Research has shown that while athletic trainers have some training in psychological competencies, they lack awareness of trauma and self-efficacy in engaging in difficult conversations with athletes. Addressing the whole person within athletic training could reduce injury and improve performance. To consider holistic healing for athletic injury, it is important to incorporate considerations of childhood trauma on athletes’ current well-being. This research will explore the influence of a whole person athletic training workshop on athletic trainers’ trauma awareness and communication competency using a mixed methods sequential explanatory design.

This presentation will include an overview of the background of the problem, and initial results from pre and post assessments including the ACES questionnaire, Trauma System Readiness Tool, Communication Competency, and a Perceived Stress Scale as well as information about the Whole Person Athletic Training workshop and initial selection process for qualitative inquiry.

Viewing athletic injury through a primarily physical ability and performance lens ignores the mind-body approach to recovery. In considering holistic healing for athletic injury, it is important to incorporate the potential influence of trauma, including childhood trauma, on athletes’ current well-being.

ATs may be presented with the unique opportunity to recognize and understand how childhood trauma can contribute to injury in athletes on college campuses. The ability to recognize the presence of childhood trauma, broach the topic with their athletes, and engage in meaningful conversation and psycho-education about the link between trauma and performance could expedite athletes healing from injury, and even prevent recurring injury. The hope of this research is to enhance ATs knowledge and application to apply a holistic treatment approach, and further decrease stigma of mental health seeking within sport culture.