Table 2.
Attitudes, beliefs, and intention joint display array.a
| Variable | Median (IQR) | Qualitative findings |
|---|---|---|
|
Knowledge (range: 0 (poor) to 48 (ideal)) (See Table 3 for specific items) |
46.0 (39.5–47.5) | Previous experience with concussion improves ability to recognize and understand symptoms Lack of visible signs and symptoms prevents honest disclosure Education is emphasized only in contact sports |
| Attitudes (range: 6 (poor) to 42 (ideal)) | 38.0 (32.0–39.5) | Stigma makes disclosing more difficult External pressure from coaches to keep playing Internal pressure from fear of losing starting spot, not wanting to let team down Need team support to make individual decisions Need to create a culture of support and encouragement Peer leadership (team captains) to set example for difficult decisions |
| Reporting concussion symptoms is: | ||
| Harmful (1)–beneficial (7) | 7.0 (6.5–7.0) | |
| Cowardly (1)–brave (7) | 6.0 (4.5–7.0) | |
| Extremely difficult (1)–extremely easy (7) | 5.0 (3.0–7.0) | |
| Bad (1)–good (7) | 7.0 (6.0–7.0) | |
| Unimportant (1)–important (7) | 7.0 (7.0–7.0) | |
| Shameful (1)–prideful (7) | 5.0 (4.0–7.0) | |
| Beliefs (total range: 2 (poor) to 14 (ideal)) | 13.0 (12.5–14.0) | Participants feel they have control but may accept that coaches also have a large, if not larger, influence over disclosure decisions Coaches should not have a role in the decision to report Medical professionals serve as a liaison between coach and athlete, improving disclosure |
| I have control over reporting concussion symptoms Range = 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) |
7.0 (6.0–7.0) | |
| I should report concussive symptoms Range = 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) |
7.0 (7.0–7.0) | |
| Intention (range: 1 (none) to 7 (always)) | 7.0 (6.0–7.0) | Athletic trainer presence is essential to willingness to report Open communication creates an environment of trust Athletic trainers’ job is to watch and notice, making intention not a factor |
| When I experience concussive symptoms, I intend to report them | 7.0 (6.0–7.0) |
Abbreviation: IQR = interquartile range.
a
Quantitative variables consist of scores from the pretest questionnaire.