The Effect of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on Post-Traumatic Growth: Evidence from a Pilot Study on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injured Football Players

Abstract

Sports injuries often lead to significant psychological distress, often affecting athletes’ mental health and influencing how they perform in the future. This piolet research explored the impact of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) on post-traumatic growth (PTG) in eight ACL-injured football players (aged 19–24). Data were collected from SAIFIT Rehab and High-Performance Center showed significant improvements in PTG domains, highlighting REBT's effectiveness in fostering resilience and adaptive coping in sports injury rehabilitation. Participants received a REBT intervention, and data collected using the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) to assess changes in their post-traumatic growth levels. A paired-samples t-test revealed significant improvements across multiple PTG domains, including personal strength (p = .002), new possibilities (p = .038), improved relationships (p = .014), and appreciation for life (p = .032). The overall PTG score showed a highly significant increase (p < .001), indicating the effectiveness of REBT in facilitating positive psychological adaptation post-injury. These preliminary findings suggest that REBT can play a crucial role in fostering PTG among injured athletes, emphasizing its potential integration into sports rehabilitation programs. Future research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal follow-ups is recommended to strengthen these findings and establish the long-term efficacy of REBT in sports injury recovery.