Parents’ perceptions of parental involvement in emerging adults’ intercollegiate athletic careers: Policy, education, and desired outcomes

Abstract

_________________________________________________________ Parent involvement is an integral, but potentially problematic, aspect of this transition. Therefore, the need exists for campus-level parent education in the context of intercollegiate athletics. The present research was designed to address key stakeholders' perceptions of parent involvement in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletics, as well as their perceptions of core design components, barriers to feasibility, and expected outcomes of parent education in the setting of intercollegiate athletics. Four senior administrators, 25 coaches, and one team director from two NCAA Division I member-institutions took part in face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Data were synthesized to create a grounded theory highlighting types of negative parent involvement, policy considerations for NCAA administrators, and barriers to implementing parent education. Additionally, structural elements of educational programming for parents at the NCAA Division I level, barriers to achieving positive parent involvement, and desired outcomes for student-athletes are discussed. A range of demographic factors (e.g., class in school, student-athlete gender, sport culture) were also identified that may impact the implementation and efficacy of campus-level parent education. Recommendations and considerations for institutions wishing to implement campus-level educational programming for parents are provided.