Date of Award

10-2024

Document Type

Doctoral Research Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Scott A. Gustafson, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Mary Caitlin Fertitta, Psy.D.

Third Advisor

Heidi Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Lisa A. Steelman, Ph.D.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between history of concussion and symptoms of aggression, irritability, and depression. Furthermore, the relationship between these variables were examined in a small subgroup of participants before and after sustaining a head injury.

Methods: Archival data of NCAA Division II and club collegiate athletes from Florida Institute of Technology was included in the present study. Participants were included in this study if they completed baseline and/or post-trauma neuropsychological evaluations that included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), and Irritability Questionnaire (IRQ). Athletes’ demographic information along with history of depression and concussion was self-reported at baseline.

Findings & Conclusions: Within the overall group of athletes, results showed that concussion history was significantly positively correlated irritability, but not with aggression or verbal aggression. Additionally, concussion history did not significantly predict aggression and irritability above and beyond depressive symptoms or sport risk level. Additional analyses revealed that when irritability was split into severity and frequency, concussion history significantly predicted irritability severity above and beyond depressive symptoms and sport risk level. Lastly, when analyzing the results of the small subset of athletes before and after head injury, the difference in irritability between athletes who were diagnosed with a concussion and those who remained undiagnosed following a head injury were significantly different. In other words, athletes who were diagnosed with a concussion following a head injury reported increased irritability at their post trauma evaluation while athletes who were not diagnosed with a concussion following a head injury actually had higher irritability at their baseline (before injury) evaluation. Overall, these findings suggest that irritability, rather than aggression, is more significantly associated with concussion history and the immediate effects of concussion. Depressive symptoms were also significantly associated with history of concussion above and beyond aggression. This study highlights the significant effect of an immediate concussion and concussion history on mental health, specifically depression and irritability, but not overt impulsive behaviors, such as aggression.

Download

Share

COinS