A qualitative study exploring factors linked to adolescent athletes' mental health during sports injury (researchportal.bath.ac.uk)

• 27 athletes aged 16–21 with severe time-loss injuries in past 6 months interviewed.
• Five themes: identity, emotions, autonomy, peer judgment, system adaptation.
• Cognitive flexibility and social support are protective factors.
• Findings highlight developmental and sport-cultural contexts.

"This qualitative study retrospectively explored factors influencing adolescent athletes' mental health across the entire injury course. Semistructured interviews with 27 athletes aged 16–21 who had a severe time-loss injury in the past 6 months. Five themes identified: identity development and self-blame, emotional overwhelm, autonomy vs. parental control, social judgment and withdrawal, and systemic barriers. Cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, social support, and mental health literacy were protective."