Maintaining Morale During Recovery: The Role of Motivation, Emotional Resilience, and Positive Thinking in Physical Injury Recovery
Authors
Strongman Federation of Ukraine (Ukraine)
Strongman Federation of Ukraine (Ukraine)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1309000067
Subject Category: Rehabilitation Psychology
Volume/Issue: 13/9 | Page No: 921-927
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-09-09
Accepted: 2026-09-14
Published: 2026-10-06
Abstract
A physical injury that results in permanent mobility limitations, disability, amputation, or the need for
prosthetics is not only a medical problem. In most cases, a person’s understanding of their new condition is
accompanied by significant psychological and moral changes, as serious injury also leads to social limitations
and the inability to maintain a normal pace of life.
The recovery process in such cases can last months or years and includes the need to adapt to body changes,
review life goals, professional suitability, the significance and further maintenance of social relationships and
one’s own identity. It is during this period that motivation, self-efficacy, emotional resilience, and a person’s
ability to form positive expectations based on real possibilities become particularly important.
The article aims to summarize current scientific data on the role of psychological resources in the physical and
psychosocial rehabilitation of people after severe injuries, as well as to determine the potential place of
coaching support in a comprehensive recovery system. A detailed review of the scientific literature on
psychological adaptation after injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries and sports injuries, as well as research
on motivation, psychological resilience, self-efficacy, positive psychology and health coaching, was conducted.
The analysis of the literature shows that psychological recovery is an important aspect in the process of
physical rehabilitation. The emotional state, a person's belief in their own ability to influence the results of
recovery, the quality of social support and the formation of their own goals can significantly affect the patient's
involvement in the rehabilitation process and its subjective results. At the same time, positive thinking should
be considered not as a denial of pain, loss or fear, but as the ability to find an incentive for action in the
conditions of existing limitations. In this case, coaching can effectively complement medical, psychological
and physical rehabilitation by supporting the client in the process of defining their own goals, self-regulation,
autonomy and the formation of practical steps.
Keywords
physical injury, rehabilitation, psychological recovery, self-efficacy, positive thinking, coaching.
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