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Advancing Scientific Understanding of Concussion Recovery in Female Athletes: A Quantitative Examination of a Three-Construct Framework12 views
Author
Edelstein, Rachel, Psychology - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia0000-0002-9904-186X
Advisors
Van Horn, John
Abstract
Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a heterogeneous injury involving dynamic interactions across neurological, biological, and psychological systems. Traditional symptom-based models often fail to capture this complexity, particularly across sex. This dissertation introduces a multidimensional neuroinformatics framework integrating neuroimaging, blood biomarkers, and self-reported symptoms to model recovery as a latent, dynamic process. Using NCAA–DoD CARE Consortium data, confirmatory factor analysis, and latent transition analysis were applied across key recovery timepoints (24–48 hours, asymptomatic, and 7-day return-to-play). Results supported a multidimensional structure, with distinct but interrelated constructs contributing to recovery trajectories. Recovery was non-linear, with heterogeneous transitions over time. Sex-stratified analyses revealed differing construct-level patterns: females showed distinct acute psychological and biological profiles, while males exhibited higher overall burden but faster return-to-play. These findings highlight the importance of sex-informed, multidimensional modeling and provide a scalable framework for improving concussion assessment, monitoring, and individualized return-to-play protocols.
Degree
PHD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Rights
All rights reserved by the author (no additional license for public reuse)
Edelstein, Rachel. Advancing Scientific Understanding of Concussion Recovery in Female Athletes: A Quantitative Examination of a Three-Construct Framework. University of Virginia, Psychology - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, PHD (Doctor of Philosophy), 2026-04-21, https://doi.org/10.18130/gqzv-kx19.