Factors associated with parent and youth athlete concussion knowledge

Erica Beidler; Abigail C Bretzin; Ara J Schmitt; Amy Phelps

doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2021.12.002

Factors associated with parent and youth athlete concussion knowledge

J Safety Res. 2022 Feb:80:190-197. doi: 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.12.002. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Authors

Erica Beidler¹, Abigail C Bretzin², Ara J Schmitt³, Amy Phelps⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Athletic Training, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States. Electronic address: johnsone1@duq.edu.
² Penn Injury Science Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: abigail.bretzin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
³ Department of Education, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States. Electronic address: schmitta2106@duq.edu.
⁴ School of Business, Economics and Statistics Division, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States. Electronic address: phelpsa@duq.edu.

PMID: 35249599
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.12.002

Abstract

Introduction: On-site health care providers are not routinely present at all youth sport events. Therefore, parents and youth athletes are often responsible for identifying and making appropriate immediate care decisions regarding concussions, which may be influenced by their injury health literacy. Previous studies have investigated the level of concussion knowledge of parents and athletes, but few have investigated factors associated with greater awareness at the youth sport level specifically.

Method: A total of 466 parents and 390 youth contact sport athletes from Pennsylvania and Michigan completed separate surveys of concussion knowledge and personal and family demographic information.

Results: Parents had a mean concussion knowledge score of 39.3 ± 4.6 out of a possible 47 points. Having a medical occupation (p = .04) and being older in age (p = .03) were associated with higher concussion knowledge scores in parents (R² = 0.018; 95% CI = 32.77-38.99). Youth athletes had a mean concussion knowledge score of 35.0 ± 5.7 out of 47. Having learned about concussion previously (p < .001), having a history of diagnosed concussion(s) (p = .01), sport type (relative to girls' ice hockey, p < .001), older age (p < .001), and parent concussion knowledge (p = .04) were associated with higher youth athlete concussion knowledge (R² = 0.176; 95% CI = 19.08-31.72).

Conclusions: More evidence-based concussion awareness resources are needed at the youth sport level. While it did not significantly influence concussion knowledge for parents, concussion education is a modifiable factor that may be essential for improving concussion knowledge of youth athletes, thus warranting further study into effective awareness strategies for this population. Practical Applications: The factors found to influence concussion knowledge in this study could be considered in future educational concussion initiatives for youth athletes and their parents in order to increase awareness regarding the potential dangers of participating in sport while concussed.

Keywords: Adolescents; Brain injury; Health literacy; Injury comprehension; Sports.

Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Athletes
Athletic Injuries* / diagnosis
Athletic Injuries* / epidemiology
Brain Concussion* / diagnosis
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Parents