Parenting styles and their connection with the level of competition of Spanish adolescent athletes

Abstract: Introduction: The rise of athletes to international professional levels is not an easy path, as it is full of challenges. Parents, as the main external influences, play a key role in facilitating or complicating the achievement of these challenges. Aim: This study aimed to find out whether parental educational styles influence the level of competition of athletes. Methods: Study participants were 256 Spanish athletes adolescents competing professionally (Mage = 15.62; DS = 1.57; 121 males and 135 females). These participants completed completed a self-report measure. A quantitative analysis consisting of binary logistic regression was performed. Results & discussion: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the level of competition of athletes based on parenting style. However, the majority of participants who competed professionally reported perceiving maternal and paternal love/affection. In conclusion, there seems to be a tendency for athletes who compete professionally to feel loved and supported by their primary socializing agents. Therefore, families cannot do without parenting patterns in which they externalize pride, satisfaction, and encouragement to future generations, since this could help them become professional in the motor field.