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Abstract
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PURPOSE:
To evaluate the concussion-reporting behaviors of collegiate football student athletes and gain insight into reasons contributing to the underreporting of concussion signs and symptoms.
Methods:
Eleven collegiate football student athletes with at least 1 more year of eligibility participated in focus groups using a semi-structured set of interview questions.
Results:
Six major themes emerged from the data: minimization of risk, misconceptions about lasting effects, diagnostic uncertainty, pressure from coaches, athletic identity, and social identity.
Conclusions:
Student athletes appear to have a strong knowledge of the signs and symptoms of concussions, but this does not necessarily translate into reporting. They also are aware of the lasting effects, but the identity of being a football player and possibly letting their team down motivates them to continue playing.
Keywords: American football;
Language: en |