Associations among perceived stress and mindfulness on post-concussion cognitive and mental health outcomes in young adults with a concussion history.

Background: Despite evidence suggesting perceived stress negatively impacts post-concussion outcomes and that mindfulness may improve that relationship, research has not investigated those connections.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study included 80 young adults with a concussion history who completed a single study visit including the following measures: 1) demographics and concussion, mental health, and mindfulness histories; 2) perceived stress [Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)]; 3) mindfulness [Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)]; and 4) post-concussion cognitive and mental health outcomes - neurocognitive performance (CNS Vital Signs), psychological symptoms [Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18)], and QOL [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®)]. First, separate regression models determined the association among perceived stress and post-concussion cognitive and mental health outcomes. Second, linear regression models determined the association among mindfulness and post-concussion cognitive and mental health outcomes. Third, to test the moderation effect, models included a perceived stress and mindfulness interaction term.

Results: Higher perceived stress was significantly associated with higher psychological symptoms (p < 0.001) and lower QOL (p < 0.05). Higher mindfulness was significantly associated with lower psychological symptoms (p < 0.001) and higher QOL (p < 0.05). No moderation models were significant.

Conclusion: Future research is necessary to further understand mechanisms impacting post-concussion interventions aimed to improve outcomes and life post-concussion.