Honors College Theses

Publication Date

4-29-2014

Major

Athletic Training (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Faculty Mentor

Erin Jordan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to show how psychological intervention can help First-Year Athletic Training Students (ATS) cope with the situational stress of dealing with emergencies. Psychological changes in the body can influence the level of confidence and the quality of care that athletic trainers can provide to their patients. The test subjects consist of 8 First-Year ATS at Georgia Southern University. A Simple Random Sample (SRS) was used to divide the class into experimental and control groups. The control group participated in the study session only. The experimental group participated in the study session and a Relaxation and Self-Confidence psychological intervention. The parameters for the intervention are established and implemented with the help of a Graduate Sports Psychology Student from Georgia Southern University. The test subjects were asked, individually, to respond to a Emergency Care Simulation and perform skills that the subjects will learn in their Clinical Skills in Athletic Training I class. Prior to the Emergency Care Simulation, the participants completed the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1979) as well as a Cognitive Test Anxiety Measure (Cassady & Johnson, 2002) both before and after the intervention. Though no statistically significant results were found, the study showed themes that suggested that psychological intervention had a more positive effect on anxiety and performance levels, while the control group displayed higher confidence levels.

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