Self-efficacy in non-concussed youth: a normative study

ABSTRACT

Objective

In pediatric concussion, there has been a shift to consider how pre-injury profiles, such as self-efficacy, affect the recovery trajectory. The aim of this study was to investigate normal ranges of self-efficacy (overall, academic, social, emotional) in youth and to explore its relationship with the effects of daily stressors, operationalized as concussion-like symptoms, demographic factors, pre-injury/learning related factors, and concussion history.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 1300 uninjured youth 13–18 years old (1111 males, 189 females) was conducted by secondary analysis of clinical pre-injury/baseline concussion data. Demographic information, concussion-like symptoms (Post-concussion Symptom Inventory), and self-efficacy (Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Children) were self-reported.

Results

The most reported concussion-like symptoms were common stress symptoms and there was a strong negative relationship with self-efficacy. Males reported higher self-efficacy than females, but no age effects were observed. Pre-injury factors including learning disability, ADHD, special education, IEP, mental health challenges, history of headaches/migraines, and concussion history were associated with significantly lower overall self-efficacy.

Conclusions

These normative ranges and predictive model can be used to provide a benchmark of self-efficacy to indicate how youth may respond to a concussion, and to inform clinical care during recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-efficacy
• stressors
• pediatric
• concussion
• concussion symptoms

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the Early Concussion Care Clinic at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the baseline testing staff that conducted the pre-injury baseline assessments and to all the youth that participated.

Declaration of interest statement

All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Acquired Brain Injury Fund, which Dr. Nick Reed held during his tenure as the Acquired Brain Injury Chair within Bloorview Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.