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Abstract

Injury recovery in sport involves not only physical rehabilitation but also significant psychological challenges, particularly for female athletes in amateur and elite environments. This study aimed to explore the perceived social support received by injured female Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) athletes and the effect it had on their mental health during injury. A qualitative research design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of injured female athletes. Data were collected through semi-structured, one-on-one interviews, allowing for open-ended responses and the exploration of individual perspectives. The sample consisted of 10 female athletes aged between 18 and 32 years, drawn from camogie and Gaelic football backgrounds. All participants had sustained injuries that resulted in a minimum of three consecutive months away from sport participation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed to identify key patterns and meanings related to perceived social support and its influence on mental health during the injury period. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed five key themes that encapsulated the participants’ experiences of social support and mental health challenges during injury: (1) The People Who Showed Up – highlighting the importance of consistent presence and emotional availability from family, teammates, and friends; (2) Shared Stories – emphasizing the value of connecting with others who had undergone similar injuries, which fostered empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging; (3) The Price of Playing – capturing the emotional and psychological toll of injury, including feelings of loss, frustration, and identity disruption; (4) The Physiotherapist Playing Two Roles – illustrating how physiotherapists often provided both physical rehabilitation and crucial emotional support, bridging a gap in the support network; and (5) Challenges with Coaching Dynamics - shedding light on inconsistent or absent support from coaches, which often contributed to feelings of neglect or exclusion. Due to the absence of structured mental health support, limited coach education, weak referral pathways from physiotherapists, and a lack of mental health awareness among families and friends, injured female GAA athletes often receive support that falls short of meeting their psychological needs. These findings highlight the critical role of inclusive, emotionally attuned support systems in protecting athlete mental health during injury.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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