| Past research has examined the experience and differences of athletic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) between female and male athletes. However, the experiences of how female athletes recover and cope with a sport-related mTBI have not previously been studied. This study looked at the experiential change in female athletes who have sustained a sport-related mTBI (i.e., concussion); specifically exploring the impact on identity associated with recovery, coping, returning to sport and/or transitioning (i.e., retiring) from sport for female athletes. A total of 13 female athletes, aged 19-37, who currently and/or previously competed at the professional, elite, or college level in their respective sport and who self-identified as having sustained a sport-elated mTBI were recruited and participated in semi-structured interviews. Through qualitative content analysis, themes about the participants' experience of sustaining an mTBI emerged. Findings indicated that most female athletes were unaware of the symptoms, injury management, and recovery process associated to sustaining a sport-related mTBI. Mild traumatic brain injury symptoms experienced by the female athlete included: feeling dizzy, fatigued, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, headache, sensitivity to light/noise, and emotional difficulties (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger). The female athlete tended to minimize mTBI symptoms in order to continue training and/or competing. Overall, not being able to train and/or compete during the recovery process was found to be an extremely challenging experience that caused emotional and psychological difficulties (i.e., depression, anxiety, and anger) as well as prolonging the recovery process. During the recovery process the female athlete found having social support; e.g., family, friends, teammates, coaches, athletic trainers, team directors to be a helpful coping mechanism. Surprisingly, few sought support from professional therapists, sport psychologists, or mental training consultants. Changes in athletic identity, fear around sustaining another mTBI, and motivation to explore new identities and pursue new professional goals also emerged. Practical implications are offered, outlining ways that individuals working with or who are close to female athletes can offer psychologically and physically helpful support. Limitations of the study and future research are also included. |
