Caregivers of youth athletes: Developing a theory‐based health communication intervention for concussion education

Sports-related concussions (SRCs) are a public health problem. However, caregivers of youth athletes (CYAs) do not receive targeted education even though they are primary decision makers for youth athletes (YAs) who incur injuries. The purpose of this study was to understand CYA's SRC perceptions via the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Message Source Credibility in order to guide development of CYA SRC health education messages. Key informants (n = 20, e.g., sports personnel, medical practitioners, and researchers) who interact with CYAs and YAs and 30 CYAs (3 males, 27 females) from five different states were interviewed. Questions aimed to identify CYA's understanding of SRC prevention, recognition, treatment, and disposition through the framework of the HBM and message source credibility. CYAs had high-perceived severity of SRCs regardless of sport but mixed views of susceptibility. Despite receiving SRC education, CYAs consistently stated their own lack of understanding and low self-efficacy. The sources and amount of information CYAs receive are barriers to education. Therefore, a health communication intervention from a trusted source that focuses on HBM constructs like perceived susceptibility, education barriers, and cues to action both pre- and post-injury may fill the current educational gap.