Parental Involvement in the Transmission and Development of Youth Athletes’ Role Responsibilities

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present study was to examine parental involvement in youth athletes’ task role development through the perspectives of important youth sport stakeholders (e.g., athletes, parents, and coaches). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (4 athletes, 7 parents, and 5 coaches) from four different types of competitive interdependent team sports (e.g., basketball). Analysis of the interview data occurred inductively through a conventional content analysis. Results generally demonstrated that all sets of participants perceived parents to influence athlete role development. Specific themes are organized into three overarching categories that explore parent characteristics (e.g., parental sport knowledge, investment), parent behaviors (e.g., support, intervention), and the resulting consequences of parental involvement (e.g., athlete role acceptance, team specific consequences). Discussion is focused on several theoretical implications surrounding the study of formal role development and emphasizes future research directions including the consideration of other social agents (e.g., teammates) in the role transmission process.