Structural validity of a self-report concussion-related symptom scale.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the factorial validity of a self-report measure of concussion-related symptom severity among a large sample of male, high-school athletes.


METHODS
Participants (N = 1089) were nonconcussed, male, high-school football players. All participants completed a single baseline self-report measure of concussion-related symptom severity, namely the graded symptom checklist (GSC). We tested the factorial validity of the measure with confirmatory factor analysis using LISREL 8.50.


RESULTS
The analysis indicated that a theoretically derived, three-factor model provided a good, but not excellent, fit for the 16-item GSC. Excellent model-data fit was demonstrated for the three-factor model for a 9-item version of the GSC. In both instances, the three factors were best described by a single second-order factor, namely concussion symptomatology.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides additional evidence for the factorial validity of a summative self-reported measure of concussion-related symptoms. The factor structure represents a cohesive group of nine symptoms that can be explained by three underlying latent variables, namely somatic symptoms, neurobehavioral symptoms, and "cognitive" symptoms, subsumed under a single higher-order factor, namely concussion symptoms.
Piland
Scott G
SG
School of Human Performance and Recreation, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, USA. scott.piland@usm.edu
Motl
Robert W
RW
Guskiewicz
Kevin M
KM
McCrea
Michael
M
Ferrara
Michael S
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices