Author(s): ZHANG, Y., LIU, S., NOH, Y., LIU, H., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA, Country: MALAYSIA, Abstract-ID: 367

Objective: To systematically review qualitative studies on changes in athletic identity following sports injuries.
Methods: The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. Electronic searches were conducted in Web of Science, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. Manual searches included forward and backward citation tracking via Google Scholar. Quality assessment employed the the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data extraction and synthesis followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines. We used the ConQual method, incorporating dependability and credibility evaluations to determine the confidence level of findings.
Results: A total of 24 studies were included. Meta-aggregation was used to synthesize findings into two overarching themes: “loss” (n = 17) and “reestablishment” (n = 7). The theme “loss” revealed that sports injuries lead to diminished athletic identity due to factors such as physical changes, absence from competition, and psychological challenges. The “reestablishment” theme showed that some athletes reconstruct their identity by engaging in roles such as coaching, volunteering, or participating in new sports.
Conclusion: Sports injuries have complex impacts on athletic identity, with some athletes facing identity loss and others successfully rebuilding their identity. Future research should focus on distinguishing between athletes and non-athletes, refining assessment tools. Practical strategies include psychological interventions, fostering multidimensional identities, and supporting post-retirement planning to aid injured athletes in identity recovery.