Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Therapy

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Sarah Blaylock

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2025

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Concussions, a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), are a growing concern among college-aged students. While physical and cognitive symptoms of concussions are well-studied, the occupational needs and lived experiences of college students remain underexplored. This mixed-methods study examined the impact of concussions on occupational engagement among athlete and non-athlete college students using a convergent mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected through the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5th Edition (SCAT5) and the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA), while qualitative insights were obtained via semi-structured interviews. The study included nine purposively sampled students with prior concussions. Quantitative findings were analyzed descriptively to assess symptom severity, and qualitative data underwent interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to uncover themes from participants’ experiences. Integrating these data provided a comprehensive understanding of the recovery challenges faced by college students. Five key themes emerged: The interplay of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms; psychosocial impacts such as stigma and isolation; the role of academic accommodations in recovery; disrupted social connections and the need for support systems; and varying recovery timelines. The findings highlight the critical role of occupational therapists in facilitating students' re-engagement in academic, social, and daily routines. This research underscores the importance of a holistic, occupation-based approach to concussion recovery, addressing physical, emotional, and social dimensions. The study advocates for tailored interventions, improved institutional support, and the development of occupation-based frameworks for recovery, with implications for broader research on non-athlete student populations.

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Keywords

college students; concussion; mild traumatic brain injury; occupational engagement; occupational therapy; return-to-learn

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