The Aftermath of a Concussion: The effects a concussion has on an individual socially after receiving one in the sport of Football and Soccer. "Social Impacts of Concussions in Football and Soccer: A Closer Look at Individual Experiences"

Abstract

For many athletes, the field is a place where they get to feel at peace and be in a tunnel vision mindset while they play the sport they love. Concussions can have a serious physical impact, but they also change a victim’s social life, and in turn, contribute to social trends. This Thesis considers the complex effects of concussions on the individual socially and society. On a personal level, a concussion can throw people out of social circles. With cognitive impairments, mood swings, and fatigue, they can struggle to participate in activities spend time with friends, or even perform at work. If they experience a more protracted post-concussion syndrome, they can feel isolated, infuriated, and depressed, which further compounds social problems and can even lead to depression. As a result, an individual’s post-concussion social life can cast a long shadow over future relationships, hobbies, and even careers. Social consequences of concussions also emerge in the contexts of cultural, economic, and institutional levels. For one, athletes may feel pressure to return to play before they’re ready to do so, which could increase their risk of re-injury. It might also contribute to a broader culture of silence, decreasing candor and openness about concussion symptoms and issues. Media coverage of high-profile concussions in sports can alter public perceptions about concussions, perhaps increasing awareness and the way that culture is positioned to understand and manage athletes’ injuries. The social implications of concussions, at the individual and social level, are vital to grasping how to facilitate the diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitation of the subtle neurobehavioural and cognitive consequences of repetitive traumatic brain injury, ultimately enhancing our shared social landscape.