Kevin Nguyen,1 Ryan Nakamura,1 Erin Evangelista,1 Natalie Toma,2 Kendal Nakaoka,3 Seth Heller,4 Emma O’Keefe,3 Tyson Wu,5 Jennifer McQueeny,6 Kore K Liow,7 Enrique Carrazana1
1 John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu, HI
2 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, LA
3 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI
4 San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
5 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Sint Maarten
6 University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
7 Hawaii Traumatic Brain Injury Center, Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience, Honolulu, HI
Background: Concussions are often underreported among young adults despite frequent media exposure. Literature highlights knowledge gaps, the influence of attitudes on reporting, and the media’s role in public understanding.
Objective: To assess concussion knowledge, reporting behavior, and media influence among students across educational levels.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey (n=138) was distributed to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, and Spearman’s correlations analyzed associations among media use, knowledge, and attitudes.
Results: Most participants recognized key symptoms, yet 67% lacked formal concussion education. Social media was the most-used source, but traditional media was viewed as more reliable (p<0.001). Though symptom reporting was rated important, far fewer found it easy or pleasant (p<0.05), showing an attitude-behavior gap. Higher social media use correlated with lower trust in content.
Conclusion: Consistent with prior findings, students show awareness but limited formal training in concussions. While social media is widely used, low trust limits its educational impact. Targeted messaging through trusted, high-use platforms may improve concussion literacy and reporting.
