A - 50 The Role of Family Functioning on Concussion Recovery in Adolescents and Young Adults

Purpose This study examined the role of overall family functioning (FF) in concussion recovery among adolescents and young adults. The authors hypothesized that participants with unhealthy FF would demonstrate prolonged recovery times compared to participants with healthy FF. Method A prospective cohort study assessed FF and concussion recovery in a university laboratory setting. Participants completed demographics, medical history, injury characteristics, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5 (SCAT5), and the General Functioning Scale of the Family Assessment Device (GF-FAD) at two visits. Participants were categorized into healthy (<2) and unhealthy (>2) FF groups based on their GF-FAD composite score.2 Chi-square tests compared categorical data, and Mann–Whitney U tests compared continuous data between groups. Results One hundred one participants (52 female; age = 20.5 ¬ ± 2.5 years) were included in the unhealthy FF group. When controlling for demographic and medical history, both days to symptom resolution (F(1, 87) = 4.7, p = 0.03) and days to medical clearance (F(1, 87) = 5.4, p = 0.02) were significantly different between groups. The unhealthy group experienced significantly longer time to symptom resolution (12.5 days vs. 8.0 days, p = 0.004) and time to medical clearance than the healthy group (15.0 days vs. 12.0 days, p = 0.006). Conclusions Participants in the unhealthy FF group demonstrated significantly longer times to symptom resolution and medical clearance compared to those in the healthy FF group. Results highlight the importance of a comprehensive clinical interview during the initial visit, as these factors may contribute to prolonged recovery. Future studies should examine how access to healthcare and adherence to treatment moderate the relationship between FF and concussion recovery.