The Association Between Perceived Social Support and Perceived Stress in Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may be influenced by psychological stressors and social support. Racial and ethnic minority patients may face unique life stressors that affect their rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between stress and social support in racial and ethnic minority patients after ACLR. We hypothesized that high perceived stress would be associated with low social support. Methods: 20 racial and/or ethnic minority patients post-ACLR completed assessments of perceived stress and social support. Pearson product moment correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between these variables. Results: No significant associations were found between perceived stress and social support in this population. Conclusion: Persistent mental health stigma observed in racial and ethnic minority populations may have contributed to these results. Healthcare providers should consider culturally tailored interventions to foster supportive environments and improve the recovery process for patients after ACLR.