Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Psychosocial Factors and Sport Injuries: Meta-analyses for Prediction and Prevention
Andreas Ivarsson1, Urban Johnson2, Mark B Andersen2
1Center of Research on Welfare, Health and Sport, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. Andreas.Ivarsson@hh.se.
Background:
Several studies have suggested that psychosocial variables can increase the risk of becoming injured during sport participation.
Objectives:
The main objectives of these meta-analyses were to examine (i) the effect sizes of relationships between the psychosocial variables (suggested as injury predictors in the model of stress and athletic injury) and injury rates, and (ii) the effects of psychological interventions aimed at reducing injury occurrence (prevention).
Methods:
Electronic databases as well as specific sport and exercise psychology journals were searched. The literature review resulted in 48 published studies containing 161 effect sizes for injury prediction and seven effect sizes for injury prevention.
Results:
The results showed that stress responses (r = 0.27, 80 % CI [0.20, 0.33]) and history of stressors (r = 0.13, 80 % CI [0.11, 0.15]) had the strongest associations with injury rates. Also, the results from the path analysis showed that the stress response mediated the relationship between history of stressors and injury rates. For injury prevention studies, all studies included (N = 7) showed decreased injury rates in the treatment groups compared to control groups.
Conclusion:
The results support the model's suggestion that psychosocial variables, as well as psychologically, based interventions, can influence injury risk among athletes.
Related Concept Videos
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Psychosurgery
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...

