Using the health belief model to predict concussion-reporting intentions and behaviour

Michelle L Weber Rawlins; Cailee E Welch Bacon; Phillip Tomporowski; Jennifer L Gay; Laura L Bierema; Julianne D Schmidt

doi:10.1080/02699052.2020.1831069

Using the health belief model to predict concussion-reporting intentions and behaviour

Brain Inj. 2020 Oct 14;34(12):16455-16465. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1831069. Epub 2020 Oct 12.

Authors

Michelle L Weber Rawlins^{1

2}, Cailee E Welch Bacon^{1

3}, Phillip Tomporowski², Jennifer L Gay⁴, Laura L Bierema⁵, Julianne D Schmidt²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, A.T. Still University , Mesa, Arizona, USA.
² Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia, USA.
³ School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, A.T. Still University , Mesa, Arizona, USA.
⁴ Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia, USA.
⁵ Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia, USA.

PMID: 33044873
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1831069

Abstract

To determine whether Health Belief Model (HBM) factors predict concussion-reporting intentions and behaviour. Methods: Participants completed a cross-sectional survey to measure the HBM constructs of concussion knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action. We also asked participants to indicate their concussion-reporting intentions and behaviourfor symptom and concussion reporting. Four separate multivariable regressions were conducted to predict concussion-reporting intentions and behaviour based on HBM constructs. Results: Cues to action (β = 0.25, p= .016) predicted symptom reporting intentions (F_7,318 = 4.44, p< .001, R² = 0.089), while perceived benefits (β = 0.12, p= .018), perceived barriers (β = -0.11, p= .034) and cues to action (β = 0.29, p< .001) predicted concussion-reporting intentions (F_7,318 = 11.34, p < .001, R² = 0.200). The HBM did not predict symptom or concussion-reporting behavior (symptom: Χ² = 5.51, p= .138, Nagelkerke R² = 0.096; concussion: Χ² = 5.20, p= .157, Nagelkerke R² = 0.159). Conclusions: Strategies to reduce perceived barriers and increase benefits of reporting concussion symptoms may improve reporting intentions. This may include cues to action in sharing a positive view toward long-term health and dispelling that reporting a concussion would let down teammates. .

Keywords: Student-athletes; cues to action; mild traumatic brain injury; perceived barriers.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Brain Concussion* / diagnosis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Belief Model
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intention*