Importance: Psychological readiness is critical in the return-to-play process for collegiate athletes recovering from sports-related injuries. While physical rehabilitation is prioritized, psychological factors significantly influence recovery outcomes and reinjury risk.

Objective: This review evaluates the impact of psychological readiness on return-to-play in collegiate athletes, focusing on confidence, fear of reinjury, and social support to highlight their role in rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Methods: A structured literature review was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed studies (2006–2025) examining psychological factors in return-to-play. Studies were selected based on their focus on psychological readiness, excluding those centered solely on physical rehabilitation.

Results: Analysis of 27 studies indicate that athletes with higher psychological readiness, as measured by the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport scale, experience greater confidence, lower fear of reinjury, and a smoother return-to-play process. Research on anterior cruciate ligament recovery shows that inadequate psychological readiness increases reinjury risk by up to 50%. Social support, coping strategies, and self-perception are key to a successful return to play.

Conclusion: Findings suggest integrating psychological interventions into rehabilitation programs may enhance recovery outcomes and reduce reinjury risk. Athletic trainers and sports psychologists are vital in addressing psychological barriers to return to play. Future research should explore individualized mental recovery strategies to optimize athlete well-being and performance.