The way in which an athlete responds to the injury--emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively--can significantly affect the athlete's mental health in a negative way if not handled appropriately. There are different forms of social support that are known to be helpful with coping during specific stages of injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived levels of social support and depression symptomatology post injury in Division 1 collegiate athletes at Portland State University (PSU). Participants were PSU student athletes (n=115). Variables: social support amount (SSQN), social support satisfaction (SSQS), and depression symptomatology (CESD-R) score. Selected injured participants (n=3) completed a 20-minute interview regarding their injury, their social support, and how each affected their mental health. Females reported more social support sources (SSQN) as well as a higher satisfaction of their social support (SSQS) than males. Non-injured student athletes appeared to have fewer social support sources as well as less social support satisfaction than injured student athletes. Of the total study sample, 27.8 percent met the criteria for some kind of depressive symptom concern. The study confirmed gender characteristics regarding help-seeking behavior, trends of depression symptomatology, and social support preferences. Overall the current study's findings indicate a need for further research regarding social support and depression symptomatology, examining injured and non-injured student athletes.

Social support has a great impact on injured NCAA athletes' complete psychological and physical recovery. When individuals, such as the coach, athletic trainer, teammates, and family, incorporate social support in the recovery process the injured athlete's attitude and belief system is positively influenced. The coach and athletic trainer have been specifically researched and proven to be influential in certain types of social support, but the family has not been significantly studied in the past. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the six different types of social support given by the family in comparison to the social support given by the head coach, athletic trainer, and teammates to the injured NCAA Dl athlete regarding the athlete's satisfaction level of each type of support provided, as well as how each support contributed to the athlete's recovery. An additional purpose is to examine the quality of the six different types of social support given by the family. This study was carried out by a quantitative survey (Modified Form of the Social Support Survey) in which NCAA athletes from a private, Dl institution who met specific criteria were the subjects. The results were analyzed through inferential statistics using multiple one-way ANOV As. The results showed according to the athlete, the family and athletic trainer provided the highest levels of all six types of social support compared to the coach and teammates. The coach was the least influential in the social support network according to the athlete. In conclusion, the family provides an integral role within all types of social support. The family should be included in the rehabilitation process of the athlete for a healthy psychological and physical recovery of the injured NCAA athlete.