Psychological Factors and Sport-Related Concussion
Psychological factors related to sport concussion have been overshadowed by interests in neurocognitive recovery. This chapter begins by examining psychological factors relevant to research and management of sport concussion in the context of a culture where normalizing pain and injury is routine. Among the key components of this chapter is a discussion of emotional disturbance following concussion characterized as the “concussion crevice,” which is represented by high fatigue, low vigor, elevated depression and confusion scores, and high overall emotional distress. This differs from pre-injury “iceberg” profiles of high energy, and low depression, fatigue, and confusion, which is characteristic of mentally healthy athletes. Acute emotional response to concussion is distinguished from response to musculoskeletal injury, mirrors neurocognitive recovery, and appears to correspond with the dynamic neurometabolic restoration pattern described in the literature. Directions for future research are recommended.