The Role of Self-Talk on the Mental Health of Athletes with a History of Injury

Both maintaining an active lifestyle and participating in sports provide not only physical and mental health benefits but also social and cultural advantages. Participation in sports is frequently recommended by sports scientists and health professionals. However, the inherent risk of injury associated with sports participation should not be overlooked. Injuries can lead to various issues, such as physical limitations and psychological disorders, making the acquisition of skills that help maintain mental health crucial, especially for male athletes. Based on this premise, the first stage of this qualitative research aimed to evaluate perceptions and experiences by analyzing the role of self-talk skills in the mental health of male athletes. To this end, relevant studies from various databases were reviewed, and 10 open-ended questions were developed by the researchers. Data were collected from athletes with at least one injury history through semi-structured interviews using the snowball sampling method. In the second phase, content analysis was conducted by categorizing and creating themes and subthemes, followed by an evaluation using examples from participant statements. The findings revealed that male athletes perceive mental health elements within the framework of human needs and that there is a stronger perceived association between male gender and mental health. Athletes reported experiencing more psychological challenges than physical difficulties during the injury process, and their self-talk had positive effects on their mental health, performance, and overall well-being during this period. As their positive internal dialogues increased, they felt better and more motivated to return to sports. Additionally, they became more aware of self-talk as a mental health preservation strategy.