Resilience and Concussion Recovery in Minority Women: Promoting Health Equity

Resilience is associated with the degree to which post-concussion symptoms (PCS) are experienced. However, the role of resilience in the recovery trajectory of minority women, who tend to have prolonged concussion recovery, is poorly characterized. We evaluated the association between resilience and PCS, to determine if the association differed by race. A secondary data analysis was performed. Resilience was assessed using the Resilience Scale and PCS with the Rivermead questionnaire. Both variables were evaluated 6-10 weeks post-injury. Baseline demographics, spearman correlation, and multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the association between resilience and PCS. Seventy-seven women (mean age 28 ± 7.6) were included, 57% were White, and 43% were Black or Hispanic. The overall cohort had a moderate association between resilience and PCS (R = -0.304, p = 0.007). The association was present in minorities (R = -0.486, p = 0.004), and was stronger for Blacks (R = -0.745, p < 0.001). After adjusting for religion as a covariate separately, resilience (β = -0.156, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.285, -0.026; p = 0.019) and mood (β = 1.082, 95% CI: 0.847, 1.317; p < 0.001), were both independent predictors of PCS. The adjusted associations were stronger for the minority subgroup for both resilience (β = -0.231, 95% CI: -0.413, -0.050; p = 0.014) and mood (β = 1.122, 95% CI: 0.753, 1.491; p < 0.001). Our findings show that compared with Whites, minority individuals with higher resilience have greater resolution of PCS. However, mood is also of importance in this association. Thus resilience-based interventions must also target mood. Interventions that strengthen resilience may have promise in promoting equitable recovery in the setting of female concussions.