Locus of Control Ratings do not Predict Concussion Reporting Intentions in Intercollegiate Athletes

Abstract

Identification of all sport-related concussion continues to be challenging in part due to the lack of reporting by athletes. It is estimated that approximately 50% of all sport-related concussions at the collegiate level go unreported, however, reasons for failing to disclose a potential concussion are still unclear. In order to improve concussion reporting, we must identify factors that contribute to an athletes’ intentions to report. Student-athletes that identify as having more control over the outcomes in their life may feel a stronger sense of control over whether they will report a suspected concussion to a medical professional. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between locus of control ratings and concussion reporting intentions in student-athletes. METHODS: Student-athletes from three universities were invited to complete a Qualtrics survey (n=206/498 response rate = 41.36%, male=34.46%). The Levenson Multidimensional Locus of Control (LOC) scale is a 24 item survey that measures Internal Locus of Control (8 items), Powerful Others (8 items), and Chance (8 items). All items were answered on a six-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Three separate Spearman’s rank-order correlations were used to determine whether LOC sub-scores (Internality, Powerful Others and Chance) correlated concussion reporting intentions (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Locus of control sub-score ratings did not significantly correlate direct intentions; Internality (rs=.055, p = .545), Powerful Others (rs= -.125, p = .169), or Chance (rs= -.065, p = .474). In addition, indirect intentions were not related to the LOC subscales; Internality (rs=.082, p = .367), Powerful Others (rs= -.111, p = .223), or Chance (rs= -.062, p = .497). CONCLUSION: Although LOC plays a role in predicting sport-related injuries risk and outcomes, it does not seem to significantly correlate with concussion reporting intentions in the current study. Results of this study suggest the importance of considering the multiple factors that may explain an athletes intentions to report concussions beyond just how much control they perceive to have over the outcomes in their life.