PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN YOUTH SPORTS: PERCEIVED AND DESIRED BEHAVIOUR BY CHILDREN

Abstract

Little is known about parent support and perceived pressures in sport. Therefore, we assessed the perceived and desired parental involvement by children and examined their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with any specific behaviour. By Parental Involvement in Sport Questionnaire (PISQ), discrepancy scores revealed that children reported excessive Active Involvement and Pressure, insufficient Praise and Understanding but satisfactory Directive Behaviour from their parents. Findings suggest that excessive parental involvement could be a source of pressure among children that would rather have greater parental participation characterized by praise and understanding. Thus, parents should be advised on how to support their children in a positive and non-invasive way, preventing burnout and dropout. Article visualizations: