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A recent study led by Luis Torres of Montclair State University sheds light on the complex relationship between mental health and rehabilitation adherence in collegiate athletes recovering from sports injuries.
The study assessed 19 NCAA athletes using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Rehabilitation Adherence Questionnaire (RAQ) to explore whether symptoms of depression and anxiety influence how well athletes follow their rehab programs.
Researchers found that while depressive and anxious symptoms remained prevalent throughout recovery—with average HADS scores staying above normal thresholds—there was no significant correlation between those mental health symptoms and athletes’ self-perceived rehabilitation adherence.
“Although we didn’t find a statistically significant connection, the data suggests mental health still plays a critical role in the recovery process,” Torres explained.
Interestingly, a significant correlation was observed between initial and return-to-play HADS scores (R = .55, P = .03), indicating that athletes who started their recovery with mental health concerns tended to retain those issues even when cleared for sport.
The findings highlight the challenge of underreporting mental health symptoms and the tendency of collegiate athletes to downplay emotional struggles due to stigma or fear of judgment.
The authors call for “a holistic recovery approach that allows collegiate athletes to heal both physically and psychologically.”
While the small, mostly male sample limited broader conclusions, the research underscores the need for better mental health screening and support throughout rehabilitation. As Torres emphasized:
“Providers should not only track physical progress but also check in on emotional well-being at every stage of recovery.”
This study contributes to a growing body of evidence urging athletic departments and healthcare teams to prioritize mental health as a crucial part of injury care in collegiate sports. Read the full study here!
