Concussion and Return to Play Experiences of Female Youth Soccer Players: A Qualitative Inquiry

ABSTRACT

Concussions are a common occurrence in adolescent sports. While scholarly literature has documented concussion symptoms and their implications, intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may contribute to an athlete’s decision to return to play (RTP) following concussion have received less attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of former youth female soccer players’ and their RTP decisions after sustaining a concussion. Eight former female youth soccer players who had sustained at least one concussion during youth soccer completed semi-structured interviews regarding their attitudes, intentions, social influences, and personal beliefs regarding concussion. Data analysis yielded three interrelated themes: “males are taken more seriously when they are injured:” gender and concussion attitudes; “I didn’t want to seem like a baby”: extrinsic factors that influence RTP; and “the biggest pressure was probably from myself more than anyone else”: intrinsic factors that influence RTP. Findings illustrate the impact that attitude, team norms, and self-identity have when female youth athletes consider decisions regarding concussion reporting and RTP. Extended TPB is a useful framework to guide stakeholders and female youth soccer players themselves toward a more holistic approach to concussion education.

KEYWORDS:

• Traumatic brain injury
• youth sport
• theory of planned behavior
• girls’ and women’s sport

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).