Sports- or Physical Activity-Related Concussions and Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness Among U.S. High School Students: Results From the 2017 Youth Behavior Risk Survey.
Kelly Sarmiento, Gabrielle F Miller, Sherry Everett Jones
PMID 32787613WHAT IT FOUND
High school students who reported a sports-related concussion were more likely to report persistent sadness or hopelessness than those who did not.
This association was significant for female and White students, but not for Black, Hispanic, or 11th-grade students.
Key findings
01Students reporting one or more sports-related concussions had higher odds of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness compared to those without such concussions.
02The association between sports-related concussion and persistent sadness or hopelessness was significant among female students, White students, and students in grades 9, 10, and 12, but not among Black, Hispanic, or 11th-grade students.
03Data are cross-sectional, so it is unclear whether the feelings of sadness or hopelessness occurred before or after the concussion.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study relies on self-reported data for both concussions and mental health symptoms, which were not confirmed by medical records or provider diagnosis. The cross-sectional design means the timing of symptoms relative to the concussion cannot be determined; sadness may have preceded the injury. The survey only includes students enrolled in school, excluding those who have dropped out or are home-schooled, who may have different risk profiles. The specific question used to measure sports-related concussion is new to the survey and its reliability has not yet been assessed.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the association as evidence that concussions cause depression. The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot determine whether the feelings of sadness followed the concussion or existed beforehand.