The mild head inured population accounts for 80 per cent of all head injuries and whilst research has identified no neurological abnormalities, this population still report to experience functional impairment. The current study set out to explore the biopsychosocial factors that could exacerbate the symptoms of mild head injury. In this respect, the study looks at the relationship between post concussion symptoms, social ability, psychological morbidity and coping style using the Rivermead Post-concussion symptoms Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the COPE questionnaire. Questionnaires were sent out to 138 individuals at 6 months post injury to identify relationships between coping style, post concussion symptoms, social support and psychological morbidity. 32 respondents completed and returned the questionnaires. Post concussion symptoms were positively related to social support, depression and anxiety. Active coping was found to be negatively related to post concussion symptoms whereas emotion focused and avoidant coping were positively associated with post concussion symptoms. The results of the study suggest that in order to improve symptoms of mild head injury practitioners must address symptoms of depression and anxiety, in addition to promoting a more productive coping style.

Objective: The long-term cognitive effects of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and sport-related concussion (SRC) are not always clear. Higher-level longer-term cognitive difficulties can indicate enduring neurological damage, as part of a post-concussion syndrome (PCS). This study aimed to investigate whether cognitive performance and self-reported PCS symptoms of athletes (rugby players) relate to SRC and whether gender moderates these effects. Method: Eighty-six participants completed a questionnaire detailing SRC history (frequency and severity) and rated long-term symptoms using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3) symptom evaluation scales, before completing the CogState Brief Battery and STOP-IT (stop-signal response inhibition task). Results: No significant relationships between SRC dosage (frequency/severity), self-reported PCS symptoms, and cognitive test performance were identified. A greater proportion of males reported SRC compared to females, but no effect of gender was found on any of the cognitive outcome measures or self-reports of PCS symptoms. Conclusions: The results show that SRC has no observable long-term effects on cognitive test performance or PCS symptom self-reports. The analysis may have lacked power to detect effects. Analysis of individual performance over time against baseline scores may be more relevant for accurate diagnosis than relying on normative test scores. Recommendations for future research were made.

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