The Relationship Between Sports Related Head Injuries, Mental Health and Academic Performance in University Student-Athletes

Abstract

Student athletes face many challenges when it comes to participating in team sports, one of the most notable being sport-related head injuries. Concussions are a growing concern since they have the potential to impact mental health and academic performance long-term. While many athletes report recovery within weeks, some continue to struggle with impairments in their psychological functioning and overall mental well-being that interferes with academic performance over time. Many of the standardized protocols in place for concussion management vary across institutions. This study aimed to address gaps in the existing literature by assessing concussion history, mental health and academic challenges through the use of self-report questionnaires (including the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and CASES). By examining both mental health and academic performance, this study provides insight into the relationship between sport-related head injuries, mental health and academic performance in current and former student-athletes. Results of this study indicated no significant association between concussion history, mental health and academic performance. Student-athletes with a history of concussions did not significantly differ from those without a concussion on any study measure. However, depressive and anxiety symptoms were strongly and positively related, and depressive symptoms were moderately associated with lower academic self-efficacy scores. These findings suggest that, within this sample, mental health symptoms may be more closely related to academic self-efficacy than concussion history, highlighting the importance of monitoring mental health and well-being in student-athletes