Understanding beliefs and perceptions of parents, coaches, and organizational leaders toward non-concussive head impact exposure in youth American football

Concussions are a prevalent public health concern; however, non-concussive head impacts without signs and symptoms of concussion may have a greater influence on brain health. The objective of this study was to apply components of the health belief model to perceptions of non-concussive head impacts and preventative efforts to reduce head impacts in youth American football and thematically analyze responses across parents with children participating in youth football, coaches, and organizational leaders. Parents, coaches, and organizational leaders of a local youth football league were invited to complete a one-time online anonymous survey assessing football and sport history, knowledge, beliefs, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self-efficacy, and demographics. Principal factor analysis was conducted prior to scoring measurements evaluated in this study. Parents perceived the susceptibility and severity of head impacts in football to be greater than coaches and organizational leaders; however, coaches and organizational leaders had greater beliefs and self-efficacy surrounding head impact safety efforts in football compared to parents. Understanding beliefs and perceptions of key stakeholders in the youth football community is critical to the development and implementation of prevention programs aimed at reducing head impact exposure in the sport.