Theoretical implications and applications for understanding and changing concussion-related behaviors

Abstract

Changing health behaviors is a priority for researchers, medical practitioners, and public health officials. Theories provide a framework to help understand and change health behaviors. To date, there has been limited use of theories within sport-related concussion research, however theory-driven research is common in other health-related domains. In this chapter, we discuss theories that have been applied to concussion research so far, such as the theory of planned behavior and social cognitive theory. We also discuss theories that have been used to study other health behaviors, which we believe can be applied to concussion research (i.e., health action process approach, self-determination theory, social ecological model, and the behaviour change wheel). Finally, we present some recommendations that are intended to maximize the use of theory in concussion research. These suggestions are in line with current available evidence and aim to provide concussion researchers with insights about the key ingredients that are necessary to understand and change concussion-related behaviors.