College students' perceptions of concussion: Illness beliefs and masculinity norms predict stigma and willingness to seek treatment

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. ahead-of-print; no. ahead-of-print; pp. 1 - 16
• Main Authors: Barnwell, Patrick V., Ingate, Margaret R., Sagar, Anushka, Contrada, Richard J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 24.07.2023
• Subjects: Concussions; health beliefs; masculinity; mild traumatic brain injury; psychometric analysis; health beliefs; masculinity; Concussions; psychometric analysis; mild traumatic brain injury
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2222845

College students' beliefs and attitudes concerning concussion, and masculinity norms, were examined in relation to stigma and willingness to seek treatment for possible concussion. Beliefs were measured using a revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ). Participants: Participants were 631 undergraduates at a Northeastern university, most of whom were nonathletes with no concussion. Methods: Data were collected online. Regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of stigma and treatment willingness. Results: Beliefs that concussion symptoms reflect malingering, are controllable, and have psychological causes were related to more stigmatizing attitudes, as was endorsement of masculinity norms regarding winning and risk-taking. Believing that concussion symptoms are long-lasting and endorsing competitiveness, pain discounting, and self-reliance predicted willingness to seek treatment. Preliminary structural models showed adequate fit. Conclusions: In addition to beliefs assessed by the IPQ, traditional conceptions of masculinity warrant greater attention in the study of concussion-related stigma and willingness to seek treatment.