@article{ref1,
title="Non-disclosure in Irish collegiate student-athletes: does concussion history, knowledge, pressure to play and gender impact concussion reporting?",
journal="Physician and sportsmedicine",
year="2019",
author="O'Connor, Siobhán and Geaney, Deirdre and Beidler, Erica",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Non-disclosure of concussions by collegiate student-athletes is documented internationally. This study aims to examine, for the first time, concussion non-disclosure frequency in Irish collegiate student-athletes and ascertain whether concussion history, knowledge, pressure to play and gender impacts this behaviour. <br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional study was implemented. A convenience sample of 268 Irish collegiate student-athletes from high-risk sports completed an anonymous survey developed from previous reliable, validated instruments. <br><br>RESULTS: One in four Irish collegiate student-athletes reported concussion non-disclosure. While a significant statistical model was generated to predict concussion non-disclosure (<i>χ<sup>2</sup></i>=13.07 p=0.004) with high specificity (99.5%), the sensitivity was non-existent (0.0%) and explained just 4.8-7.0% of the variance in non-disclosure. Just previous history of a concussion diagnosis contributed significantly to the model (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.46-4.6). Gaps in concussion knowledge were evident and some participants previously felt pressure to return to play after sustaining a blow to the head by coaches (50.0%), teammates (45.5%) and fans (38.0%). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Non-disclosure of concussions is common in this population. While gender, concussion knowledge and pressure to play does not seem to impact non-disclosure, a previous history of concussion increases the odds of concussion non-disclosure by 2.6 times. Thus, creating a positive concussion reporting culture in high-risk Irish collegiate sports is critical, particularly for those with a previous medically diagnosed concussion. Multifaceted strategies that incorporate the complexity of why athletes choose to not report a concussion targeted to the specific issues identified in this population and to all key stakeholders involved in collegiate sport is needed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0091-3847",
doi="10.1080/00913847.2019.1671141",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2019.1671141"
}