The Impact of Injury on the Psychological Well-Being of Athletes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze literature on the impact of injuries and their severity to the psychological well being of athletes across multiple levels of competition. Methods: Literature was gathered from PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar in January and February of 2026 to assess the effects of injuries on an athlete's well being. Eight studies met the criteria and were analyzed for this review. Results: Most studies reported that a greater number of injuries, as well as greater severity of the injury were associated with worsened mental health symptoms. Some studies included treatment methods that were effective, but many of these methods lacked significance. Conclusions: Injuries of any severity appear to have a negative effect on the mental health of an athlete. Greater sample sizes and implementation of intervention strategies are needed to report more accurate and applicable data.