An Investigation of the Relationship Between Parents’ Causal Attributions of Youth Soccer Dropout, Time in Soccer Organisation, Affect Towards Soccer and Soccer Organisation, and Post-Soccer Dropout Behaviour

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the links between: (a) parents’ causal attributions for youth soccer dropout, (b) parents’ feelings of the degree of importance their children ascribed to soccer, (c) parents’ attitudes towards the respective soccer organisation, (d) the length of time parents or children had spent in the soccer organisation, and (e) post-soccer dropout behaviour (i.e., switching soccer providers or pursuing other activities). Data were obtained from parents (N = 102) of participants who were formerly enrolled in a youth soccer program. Logistic regression analysis revealed a positive direct link between parents’ attributions of dropout to service, the importance the child places on soccer participation (moderated by time spent in the organisation) and post-soccer dropout behaviour (switching soccer providers). The analysis also indicated that parents’ attributions to factors related to cost and upper management issues were directly (but negatively) related to post-dropout behaviour (switching soccer providers) and hence more determinant of post-dropout behaviour (pursuing other non-soccer activities). Other parents’ attributions of dropout to causes such as coaches, peers, parents, team-mates and time of practices and games were found to have an indirect relationship with post-dropout behaviour. In addition to discussing the findings, the paper also presents managerial implications for maximising retention of youth soccer participants.