Cognitive and Mental Health in Recently Retired Collegiate Football Players: Findings from the CARE Consortium
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: While long-term psychosocial health in football players has been extensively studied, little is known about cognitive and mental health during early sport retirement. This study examined the association between football participation factors and self-reported cognitive and mental health among recently retired collegiate players. METHODS: Participants in the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium (n = 627; mean age = 25.0 ± 1.7) completed surveys across 26 United States universities (2014-2021) within 5 years of collegiate exit. Measures included Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders-Cognitive Domain (Neuro-QoL), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Univariate and multivariable regression models evaluated the effects of lifetime concussion history, playing position, and years of football participation on outcome scores. Proportions exceeding clinical score thresholds were also compared across exposure groups. RESULTS: Per univariate analyses, participants reporting three or more concussions had significantly worse scores across all instruments than those without concussion history, and a higher proportion exceeded clinical thresholds for all measures except life satisfaction. In adjusted models, the 3+ concussion group endorsed higher PHQ-9 scores than the non-concussion group (B: 1.53, SE: 0.52, p = 0.014). An interaction between position and concussion was observed for Neuro-QoL scores, with agility players reporting lower scores than hybrid players in those with 1-2 concussions. DISCUSSION: Greater lifetime concussion history was associated with poorer self-reported psychosocial health among recently retired collegiate football players. Targeted clinical screening and early intervention may benefit those with multiple concussions as they transition to post-athletic careers.
Source: Sports Medicine - Open
Authors: Reid A. Syrydiuk, Benjamin L. Brett, Eleanna M. L. Varangis, Douglas J. Wiebe, Paul F. Pasquina, Michael A. McCrea, Thomas W. McAllister, Steven P. Broglio, April Hoy, Louisa Kelly, Justus Ortega, Jane McDevitt, Christopher D’Lauro, Kenneth Cameron, Adam Susmarski, Holly Benjamin, Thomas Kamisnki, Thomas Buckley, James Clugston, Joseph Hazzard, Patrick O’Donnell, James Eckner, Jason Mihalik, Christina Master, Michael Collins, Anthony Kontos, Alison Brooks, Stefan Duma, Steven Rowson, Christopher Miles, Jody Harland, Janetta Matesan, Michael Menser, Ashley Rettmann, Nicole L’Heureux, Melissa McEachern, Michael Jarrett, Vibeke Brinck, Bianca Byrne, Melissa Baker, Christy Collins, Will Felix, Bethany Morath
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,290
Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wake Forest University, University of Pittsburgh, Azusa Pacific University, Temple University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Combat Casualty Care Research Program, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
OpenAlex ID: W7223179098