| Summary: | Concussion symptoms are complex. They are non-specific to a concussion, and there is no gold standard for diagnosis and evaluation. For most, symptoms will resolve in days or weeks following a concussion. However, symptoms can become more serious, lasting for months or even years, considerably affecting quality of life. Long-lasting concussion symptoms can include worse mental health and cognitive function, impaired sleep, and ocular and vestibular problems. Sports are a significant risk factor for concussions. Previous concussions, medical history and background, age and gender are also factors influencing the prevalence and the sequela of concussion and progression of symptoms. Despite being underrepresented in the concussion literature, many studies have found that women are more at risk of sustaining a concussion and have more severe symptoms. All of the participants in this study were Icelandic female athletes, retired and still active. All had been playing at the highest level in their sport in Iceland. The aims of this Thesis were to 1) examine the usefulness of self-report of concussion history and test if different methods of obtaining self-report would affect the report given and the relationship with an outcome variable; 2) examine concussion history and symptoms among retired and still active female athletes and the relationship with mental health and cognitive abilities; 3) validate self-reported concussion history and symptoms by assessing phycological responses and physical markers in a virtual reality environment. Self-reported history varied according to the method used to elicit concussion history. This change indicates a lack of concussion knowledge and that detailed questioning might be preferable when asking for a self-report of concussion history. This change and how groups were formed depending on concussion count affected the relationship with current symptoms. History of concussion was connected to poorer impulse control, more current post-concussion symptoms and more problems with ...
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