The Effects of Concussions on Mental Health in Athletes — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Thomas Carr
Katherin Hilson
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Sarah Terrill

The Effects of Concussions on Mental Health in Athletes

Name: Hannah Midlock
Major: Athletic Training
Hometown: Minooka, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Laurie Jensen
Other Sponsors: Daniel Ruffner, Alicia Belant
Type of research: Course project

Name: Delanie Menconi
Major: Athletic Training
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Laurie Jensen
Other Sponsors: Daniel Ruffner, Alicia Belant
Type of research: Course project

Name: Emma Self
Major: Athletic Training
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Laurie Jensen
Other Sponsors: Daniel Ruffner, Alicia Belant
Type of research: Course project

Abstract

Abstract

The effects of concussions have recently become a topic of interest in the football industry. Approximately 3.8 million athletes suffer a traumatic brain injury annually. Post-injury, an athlete may suffer with their mental, musculoskeletal, neurocognitive and cardiovascular health. Currently there is data supporting the detrimental effects of traumatic brain injuries and its effects on the mental health of football players. Our findings were extrapolated from a combination of multiple cohort studies with the primary purpose of answering the question, “Can exposure to concussions in football players increase their risk of depression?” Mental health conditions, such as depression, were assessed by MRI, ECG and mental health assessment tools. The participants completed objective cognitive and self-reported behavioral/mood tests as part of a larger ongoing longitudinal study. These tests from multiple studies are self reported on symptoms post concussion and several years after having multiple concussions. The results of the research show that there is a small but significant correlation between traumatic brain injuries and depression in football athletes based on all the data that was collected from multiple studies. The relationship of high post concussive symptom scores and hospital admission were strong predictors of depression within the football athletic population.

Submit date: April 8, 2020, 12:04 p.m.