title: Exploring the Relationship Between Athletic Identity and Beliefs About Rehabilitation Overadherence in College Athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Athletic identity has been associated with rehabilitation overadherence in college athletes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore which constructs of athletic identity predict rehabilitation overadherence, gauge athletes' views of the most salient aspect of their athletic participation, and understand their perceptions of the reasons they adhere to their rehabilitation program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, mixed methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  University athletic training clinics and online.
  
  
  METHODS
  Currently injured college athletes (N = 80; 51 male, 29 female).
  
  
  METHODS
  Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), Rehabilitation Overadherence Questionnaire (ROAQ), and 2 open-ended questions about athletic participation and rehabilitation adherence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher levels of athletic identity were associated with higher levels of rehabilitation overadherence (r = .29, P = .009). Hierarchical multiple regression used on AIMS subscales to predict ROAQ subscales did not reveal a significant model for the subscale "ignore practitioner recommendations." However, a significant model was revealed for the subscale "attempt an expedited rehabilitation," F5,73= 2.56, P = .04, R2= .15. Negative affectivity was the only significant contribution to the equation (β = 0.33, t = 2.64, P = .01). Content analysis revealed that bodily benefits, sport participation, personal achievement, social relationships, and athlete status were perceived to be the most important aspects of being an athlete. The themes of returning to competition, general health, and relationship beliefs were identified as the major factors for adhering to a rehabilitation program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Negative affectivity accounted for a significant but low amount of variance for rehabilitation overadherence, suggesting that athletic trainers should pay attention to personal variables such as athletic identity that might influence the rehabilitation process. Using the knowledge of why athletes adhere to their rehabilitation and what is most important to them about being an athlete, athletic trainers can use appropriate interventions to facilitate proper rehabilitation adherence.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hilliard
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.forename: Dorice
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hankemeier
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bolin
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adherence; sport injury; sport psychology