Supporting injured professional football players : the role of significant others

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of professional football players regarding the social support provided by family, friends and partners during injury. A sample of professional football players [N=15] competing in the Canadian Football League (CFL) were interviewed using qualitative and quantitative measures to determine which type of social support they found most beneficial and from whom. The players felt they were supported emotionally in the initial phases of injury from family and partners. None of the participants required motivational support, many athletes reported not requiring external motivation to heal and resume play. Very few required tangible support, although the need for tangible support varied with type of injury and timing of injury. The players received valuable informational support concerning their injury primarily from their friends who were also athletes, many players received to the importance of understanding injury and its workings. Family members and partners were not believed to have a sound understanding of what the athletes were dealing with. Future research could evaluate the perspectives of family, friends and partners with respect to athletic injury.