Rules, status, and the boundary of pain: A social psychology of injury in men's rugby
LE3 .A278 2004
2004
Pitter, Robert
Acadia University
Bachelor of Kinesiology
Honours
Kinesiology
This paper discusses participant observation pilot studies of both a rural high school rugby season and a university club rugby season during which I filled the role of first aid provider and student athletic trainer, respectively. Through a content analysis of information gathered from interviews, questionnaires, and field notes, I explore how the rules of the sport, the status of the athlete on the team, and the athlete’s boundary of pain can influence an athlete’s decisions when in pain or injured. The results varied between the two groups studied, suggesting a need for more research to fill the gaps in behavioural patterns of high school and university athletes in a sports setting. This study effectively illustrates how individual responses to pain and injury may be guided by both social pressure and an athlete’s socialization with respect to injury. My goal is to identify when dangerous risk taking norms become apparent so that professionals can intervene, ensuring the safety of athletes.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:431