Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Advisor(s)

Ryan Taylor

Committee Members

Mark Brewer, Amy Engler Booth, Paige Lane, Mollie Ruben

Graduation Year

May 2021

Publication Date

Spring 5-2021

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is to examine the effects of concussions on college athletes, specifically their social activity and behavioral changes. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) that occur after receiving a blow to the head or a whiplash injury that causes an altered state of consciousness, including but not limited to, being unconscious. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reports that in the past five years college athletes have suffered 10,500 concussions. Unlike professional athletes, who have the luxury of being able to rest until fully healed, college student athletes have the demands of academics often rushing them back to the classroom before they are healed completely. This demand can lead to prolonged symptoms. This thesis will explore how concussions can have lasting effects on behavior and academics, not just acute effects during the healing process. The PROMIS-29 survey was conducted to study the behavioral and social aspects of Division I student athletes in five sports.

The response rate was low, however the data that was collected was trending along with studies that have been conducted previously.

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