Psychosocial experiences of concussed collegiate athletes: The role of emotional support in the recovery process.

Objective

Understand from whom concussed football players seek and receive emotional support, and whether this support is associated with injury perceptions.

Participants

Football players (N = 26) from three NCAA Division I programs.

Methods

With approval from the head athletic trainer, concussed athletes (2017 season) completed short surveys within 4-6 days of diagnosis and when cleared to return.

Results

Concussed athletes perceived their injury as a normal consequence of playing football, not serious, and reported little, if any, depression and anxiety. Athletes reported the most support from athletic trainers; the least from coaches and teammates. Emotional support was associated with fewer adverse psychosocial reactions, more sport-injury related growth, and greater intentions to report future concussion symptoms.

Conclusion

Results from this pilot study suggest that emotional support during the concussion recovery process should be understood and fostered by university officials charged with the health and well-being of collegiate football players.