Perceived Social Norms and Concussion-Disclosure Behaviours Among First-Year NCAA Student-Athletes: Implications For Concussion Prevention and Education
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
School
Health Professions
Abstract
Timely disclosure and identification of concussion symptoms are essential to proper care. Perceived social norms are a potential driving factor in many health-related decisions. The study purpose was to describe concussion disclosure behaviours and identify the association between perceived social norms and these disclosure behaviours. First-year student-athletes (n = 391) at two NCAA institutions completed a cross-sectional survey about concussion disclosure and disclosure determinants. Log-binomial regression models identified factors associated with concussion disclosure behaviour prevalence for: higher intention to disclose symptoms, disclosed all at time of injury, eventually disclosed all, and never participated with concussion symptoms.
More favourable perceived social norms were associated with higher prevalence of intention to disclose (PR = 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18, 1.53) and higher prevalence of never participating in sports with concussion symptoms (PR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.07, 2.10). Clinicians, coaches, sports administrators, and healthcare practitioners should be mindful of the need to create supportive social environments to improve concussion symptom disclosure.
Publication Title
Research in Sports Medicine
Recommended Citation
Register-Mihalik, J.,
Marshall, S.,
Kay, M.,
Kerr, Z.,
Peck, K.,
Houston, M.,
Linnan, L.,
Hennink-Kaminski, H.,
Gildner, P.,
Svoboda, S.,
Cameron, K.
(2020). Perceived Social Norms and Concussion-Disclosure Behaviours Among First-Year NCAA Student-Athletes: Implications For Concussion Prevention and Education. Research in Sports Medicine.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/17909