Losing the identity of a hockey player: the long-term effects of concussions
Åsa Engström,
Eija Jumisko,
Pashtun Shahim,
Niklas Lehto,
Kaj Blennow,
Henrik Zetterberg,
Yelverton Tegner
Affiliations
Åsa Engström
1Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
Eija Jumisko
2Development Manager, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi, Finland
Pashtun Shahim
3Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
Niklas Lehto
4Division of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
Kaj Blennow
5Department of Psychiatry & Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg & Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
Henrik Zetterberg
5Department of Psychiatry & Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg & Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
Yelverton Tegner
7Division of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
Aim: To describe what suffering multiple concussions meant for former semi-professional or professional hockey players who were forced to end their career. Results: Nine former Swedish hockey players, who once played on national or professional teams were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed with reference to hermeneutic phenomenology to interpret and explain their experiences. The theme of losing one’s identity as a hockey player was constructed from five subthemes: being limited in everyday life, returning to the hockey stadium as soon as possible, forming a post career identity, lacking understanding and support, and preventing injuries by respecting other players. Conclusion: The former hockey players struggled with developing their off-the-ice identities and with finding other sources of meaning for their lives.
