Parental involvement and children’s enjoyment in sport

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) to examine children’s preferences for parental involvement that enhances their enjoyment in sport, and; 2) to identify the factors that facilitate or prevent parents from being involved in the ways preferred by children. Utilising an interpretive descriptive methodology, the study was conducted in two stages. First, focus groups with 31 children (8–12 years, M = 9.39) involved in field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, swimming, and tennis were conducted. Second, 26 parents participated in focus groups, during which they reviewed the results of stage one and explained whether they could or could not engage in the desired ways. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Overall, four preferences for parental involvement to enhance children’s sporting enjoyment were developed: 1) show you care about your child’s sport by facilitating and prioritising participation; 2) listen and learn from your child to ensure you can engage in informed conversations; 3) understand and support your child’s pre, during, and post competition preferences; and 4) support and recognise your child beyond their sport. The extent to which parents were able to engage in the manner children preferred was influenced by personal, social, and environmental/contextual considerations. The results illustrate the complexity of parental involvement in sport, and the importance of clubs and sports organisations understanding children’s and parents’ experiences when educating parents on appropriate involvement.