The effects of life stress and psychosocial moderator variables on injuries and performance in hockey players

Previous research has suggested a relationship between psychosocial variables and both injury and performance in sports. The current study reconsiders this relationship in light of the recent multidimensional model proposed by Andersen and Williams (1988). The psychosocial variables of major life events, daily hassles, coping strategies, social support, general trait anxiety, competition trait anxiety, and depressed mood were examined in relation to injuries and the quality of performance in 77 male hockey players from the Ligue de Hockey Junior Majeur du Quebec (LHJMQ) with a mean age of 18.29 years. The major hypothesis suggested differences on the psychosocial variables between injured and non-injured players and between players who improved on performance measures versus those whose performance deteriorated.; A total of 39 injuries were reported either at mid-season or at the end of the season which prevented players from participating in games on an average of 6 to 14 days. Group differences on t-tests between injured (n = 36) and non-injured (n = 41) players were found on negative life events and depressed mood, with the injured group scoring significantly higher on both. Players who were only injured at the end of the hockey season (n = 18) were significantly more depressed than non-injured players (n = 59), while non-injured players scored significantly higher on the use of an avoidant coping strategy. Across groups there was a significant positive correlation between negative life events, frequency of hassles and trait anxiety, both in general and in competition. All of these except for trait competition anxiety were positively correlated with depression. More frequent use of a problem-focused coping strategy was associated with lower levels of trait anxiety and less distress from major life stressors. Conversely, more frequent utilization of the coping strategies of self-blame or wishful thinking was associated with greater anxiety levels and greater frequency of major and minor stressors. Stepwise multiple regression on measures of performance for 42 players revealed that sports competition anxiety was the only significant and meaningful predictor of performance changes, explaining 11% of the variance. Some exploratory analyses were performed given that this study raised a number of questions which could partially be addressed with the same data. The limitations of this study are discussed, suggesting that results should be interpreted with caution. Recommendations for future investigations are proposed.