Quantitative Assessment Of Parental Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Pediatric Sports-related Concussions

Abstract

PURPOSE: Sports-related concussions are a growing concern in youth sports. Parents of young athletes play a major role in both identifying concussive symptoms and managing at-home recovery, but they are often unaware of the consequences of concussions and recommended management techniques. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes toward sports-related concussions among parents living in Los Angeles, California. We expected to identify significant gaps in parental knowledge and characterize parent populations most in need of concussion-related education. We predicted that knowledge and attitudes would be better among parents with increased educational attainment and prior sports- and concussion-related experience. METHODS: Participants included parents and caregivers of children brought to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and its four satellite clinics for evaluation of musculoskeletal or mild traumatic brain injuries. Participants completed a validated questionnaire that measured knowledge of concussion symptoms as well as attitudes regarding medical diagnosis and post-concussion sports participation. The survey also assessed previous sports- and concussion-related experience. RESULTS: 214 parents and caregivers were surveyed over an 8-month period. Participants scored an average of 18.4 (maximum=25) on the Concussion Knowledge Index and 63.1 (maximum=75) on the Concussion Attitude Index. Attitudes were significantly safer among Caucasian females, and knowledge increased with household income and education level. Previous experience playing sports did not affect knowledge or attitudes, but parents who reported suffering from an undiagnosed concussion during childhood had significantly better concussion knowledge than those who did not. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to comprehensively examine parent knowledge and attitudes toward concussions using a validated assessment tool. Results suggest that parents with low income and education levels may benefit from additional concussion-related education. Ongoing efforts to understand parental knowledge and attitudes will inform the development of a strategic and tailored approach to the prevention and treatment of pediatric concussions.