Role of Religious Beliefs and Practices on the Mental Health of Athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of religion and spirituality practices and beliefs on emotional and psychological outcomes among professional athlete with anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) injury. Methods: A sample of professional athletes (n = 50) with ACL injury and prior to surgery participated in this study. Participants completed Brief Cope Inventory (BCI) and Depression Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS 21). From the responses to specific items related to religion and spirituality, participants were classified as high or low in religious/spiritual belief (RS H or RS L respectively); and as high and low in their praying/meditation practice (PM H or PM L respectively). Results: RS H participants reported better scores on overall coping 8.3 ± 11.4, acceptance 6.7 ± 1.7, self-distraction 6.2 ± 1.8, use of emotional support 6.9 ± 1.5. Reduced depression 10.6 ± 13.0, anxiety 14.0 ± 18.6 and stress 8.6 ± 14.2 compared to RS L (p ≤ 0.05). PM H group had better scores on overall coping 84.0 ± 11.8 and use of emotional support 6.9 ± 1.6 compared to PM L P = 0.004 and P = 0.007 respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that belief and practice of religion/spirituality play a central role in the processes of reconstructing the coping strategies and reducing depression, anxiety and stress.