Social pressures from teammates and coaches are a key predictor of concussion-reporting intentions, according to a study published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The paper’s first author is John Batten, programme director in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Winchester. The second author is Matt Smith, a senior lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at Winchester.
Working with colleagues based in the UK and Australia, they found that transformational leadership can foster psychological safety within teams, making players more likely to report symptoms.
The study was based on data collected from more than 200 student athletes in Australia, with an average age of 19.83 years. The respondents took part in a range of team sports including football, Aussie Rules football, cricket, basketball, American football, rugby league, softball and volleyball. The study sample was made up of 160 males and 73 females.
‘The goal is to create a culture where concussion reporting is not only accepted but expected, and where athletes feel empowered to make decisions that protect their long-term health’ [John Batten at al]
Build ‘open communication’ systems
Despite media coverage about the long-term health hazards of head impacts, as well as concussion protocols in top level sport, many sportspeople remain reticent about reporting head injuries.
Dr Batten said: ‘Athletes highlighted the need for friendships and open communication, which helps reduce the stigma and concerns about appearing weak or losing their place in the team.’
Interventions that focus on building open, empathetic environments, alongside clear expectations about concussion protocols are needed, says the researchers.
Dr Batten suggested: ‘The goal is to create a culture where concussion reporting is not only accepted but expected, and where athletes feel empowered to make decisions that protect their long-term health.’
The study revealed that sports coaches’ leadership styles and team environments can directly influence an athlete’s willingness to report concussion symptom – both their own and those of teammates.
Dr Batten added: ‘Unfortunately, there is still a culture of “playing through the pain” in many sports. There is increased knowledge of the dangers of concussion but that is not necessarily matched by safer behaviours.’
This ‘warrior mentality’ persists even though a missed concussion diagnosis might lead to further injury. A change of ethos is needed, argue the academics.
Co-author Dr Smith said: ‘When athletes feel supported and understood by their coaches and teammates, they are more likely to engage in behaviours that prioritise health, including reporting concussions.’
Foster discussions about concussion
The open-access paper is titled ‘Transformational Leadership, Psychological Safety, and Concussion Reporting Intentions in Team-Sport Athletes’. It concludes that ‘interventions that focus on the needs of individual members and encourage regular, open, and honest communication about both sport-specific and personal issues should be encouraged.
‘These interventions should target individual players, teammates, and coaches, with a focus on cultivating open, accepting, empathetic, non-judgemental, and supportive environments, within which discussions about concussion can take place.’
Dr Batten and his co-authors add: ‘Interventions should also set clear expectations about what should happen when concussions occur. In so doing, researchers and practitioners may be able to support the development of a team culture that promotes concussion reporting and prioritises player health.’
Image: Shutterstock
