Concussion education for New Zealand high school rugby players: A mixed-method analysis of the impact on concussion knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviours

Danielle M. Salmon; Marelise Badenhorst; James Brown; Janelle Romanchuk; Zachary Yukio Kerr; Simon Walters; Amanda Clacy; Sierra Keung; S. John Sullivan; Johna Register-Mihalik; Chris Whatman

doi:10.1177/17479541231156159

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Concussion education for New Zealand high school rugby players: A mixed-method analysis of the impact on concussion knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviours

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Concussion education for New Zealand high school rugby players: A mixed-method analysis of the impact on concussion knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviours

Danielle M. Salmon, Marelise Badenhorst, James Brown, Janelle Romanchuk, Zachary Yukio Kerr, Simon Walters, Amanda Clacy, Sierra Keung, S. John Sullivan, Johna Register-Mihalik, …

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, Vol.19(1), pp.99-112

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231156159

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

diversity

ethnicity

gender

Coach communication

head injury

socioeconomic status

UniSC Diversity Area - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Players who lack the knowledge to recognise the signs and symptoms of concussions may be less likely to disclose their injury. New Zealand Rugby's Community Concussion Initiative includes an interactive education session highlighting peer-recognition of concussions. This mixed-method study examined the effect of an education session on high school players’ concussion knowledge and attitudes as well as the impact of player demographics on these variables. Focus groups were used to explore player experiences. The RoCKAS-ST was used to measure concussion knowledge/attitudes before and after the education session. Multiple linear regression examined associations between demographic variables, including school decile (relative wealth of the geographic region the school serves), and pre-education concussion knowledge/attitudes scores. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared pre-concussion and post-concussion knowledge/attitudes scores. Qualitative data were analysed via thematic analysis. Overall, 532 players completed questionnaires; 75 players participated in focus groups. Pasifika players had lower concussion knowledge than NZ Europeans (p < .001). Mid-decile schools had higher concussion attitudes scores than low decile schools (p < .001). Pre-education and post-education session concussion attitudes and knowledge scores did not differ significantly, suggesting the one-off education session was not successful in improving these outcomes. Players identified: (i) the education session to be valuable, but some uncertainties remained; (ii) the importance of player comfort, interaction and comprehension; (iii) the need for role models, real stories and regular content refreshers. Requests for presenter diversity, support and easily understood information were more prominent in Māori/Pasifika and low-decile groups. Greater consideration of these factors is necessary in the development of education interventions.

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Title: Concussion education for New Zealand high school rugby players: A mixed-method analysis of the impact on concussion knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviours
Authors: Danielle M. Salmon (Corresponding Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Marelise Badenhorst (Author) - Auckland University of Technology
James Brown (Author) - Stellenbosch University
Janelle Romanchuk (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Zachary Yukio Kerr (Author) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Simon Walters (Author) - Auckland University of Technology
Amanda Clacy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
Sierra Keung (Author) - Auckland University of Technology
S. John Sullivan (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Johna Register-Mihalik (Author) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chris Whatman (Author) - Auckland University of Technology
Publication details: International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, Vol.19(1), pp.99-112
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1177/17479541231156159
ISSN: 2048-397X
Grant note: Player Welfare Research Grant / World Rugby RugbySmart / The Accident Compensation Corporation New Zealand Rugby Foundation
Organisation Unit: School of Law and Society; Thompson Institute; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99739598702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism; Psychology, Applied

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