Parental Influence on Children's Motivation in Sport: Exploring Perceptions and Their Impact on Motivational Climate

Parents play one of the most important roles in a child’s participation in sport. Parental involvement in their child’s sport participation can be perceived as motivating or as overwhelming. The main focus of this study is to examine how parental support, encouragement, and pressure can affect a child’s sport experience. Additionally, we will examine how children’s perceptions of their parent’s behavior shape the children’s own goals in sports. Research suggests that mothers typically show more praise and provide a more nurturing environment to their children while fathers create more pressure and take part in more directive behaviors toward their child in sport (Dorsch, 2015). I have analyzed questionnaire data from 106 young athletes, aged 8 to 14, to look at their perceptions of parental involvement as well as their own motivational goals (ego or task). This research aims to better understand the dynamic between parents and children with youth sport participation and how that knowledge can be used to bring awareness to parents of the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for their children, so children can experience more enjoyment in sports.