Psychometric properties of concussion knowledge and cognitive mediators of reporting measures.

Context: Concussion education and prevention programs require reliable and valid instruments to evaluate the theory, mechanisms, and outcome of these interventions

Objective

To assess the psychometric properties of measures evaluating concussion education and prevention programsDesign: Descriptive epidemiological

Setting

10 NCAA-member universities Patients or Other

Participants

841 student-athletes in an RCT control group testing an ecological, peer-led concussion education program Main Outcome Measures: Instruments adapted for assessing concussion knowledge and Theory of Planned Behavior/Theory of Reasoned Action (TPB/TRA) cognitive mediators of reporting behavior (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, and intentions to report concussion). Participants completed measures at baseline, after one hour, and after one month

Results

Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were moderate for both the concussion knowledge and cognitive mediator measures. TPB/TRA was supported subscale intercorrelation and item factor analysis in the cognitive mediator scale. Factor analysis of the concussion knowledge measure revealed subscales for physical/cognitive, psychological/affective, and non-symptoms. The intermediate TPB/TRA mediators of attitudes, norms, and perceived control predicted greater intention-to-report, which predicted increased likelihood of reporting concussion one month later.

Conclusions

Measures of concussion knowledge and cognitive mediators of reporting adapted from the literature show adequate psychometric properties and support TPB/TRA application for concussion reporting behaviors.