Use of Self-Talk by Injured Athletes - Coursework Example

The role of self-talk in displaying and influencing the psyche, emotions, and consequently the physical rehabilitation of the patients. The positive self-talk tended to motivate and to lead to the patient's adhering to the rehabilitation programs. The perceptions of recovery that stemmed from this led to decreased depression and more positive self-talk. However, the complicated nature of athletes' reaction to injury meant that some also used negative self-talk, and this self-talk affected their spirits and motivation negatively as well.

The inter-relatedness of all these aspects and the similarities and differences of the findings of this study to the research that has gone before is explored in detail.Self-talk is a strategy that has been employed by persons who, during difficult circumstances, have found it necessary to find a means of coping with stress. It has been defined by Hackfort and Schwenkmezger (1993) as "a dialogue in which the individual interprets feelings of perception, regulates and changes evaluations and convictions, and gives him/herself instructions and reinforcement".

As is implied by the term, the activity engages anyone who uses self-talk in a dialogue with him- or herself about things that relate to a problematic situation at hand. It is a type of verbal persuasion, which has been indicated by Evans, Hardy, and Fleming (2000) as a much-used response to stress.Self-talk can occur in negative or positive form, according to the type of personality or the level of stress being experienced by its user. It is also dependent on the user's perception of the situation causing the stress (Evans, Mitchell & Jones, 2005).

Personality and the availability of support systems affect a person's perception of a situation and therefore may also have a bearing on the self-talk used in a situation (Wiese-Bjornstal, Smith, Shaffer and Morrey's, 1998). Injuries can prove very stressful, and are especially so to professional athletes, as their ability to earn depends heavily on their physical health. These injuries which cause overwhelming stress can also cause a player to develop lowered confidence and motivation.