Why drop out? The impact of social influences on former competitive adolescent athletes

While many psychosocial and physical advantages are associated with sport participation, approximately 70% of youth drop out of sport before adolescence (Eitzen & Sage, 2009). During adolescence, social relationships with parents, peers, and coaches become critical to one’s motivation, enjoyment, and long-term sport participation (e.g., Keegan et al., 2009). The purpose of this study was to explore former competitive adolescent athletes’ perceptions of how social influences (parents, peers, and coaches) shaped their sport experiences and eventual drop out. Participants included 15 former athletes (nine females and six males; Mage = 21.6; SD = 1.25). Selection criteria did not specify one specific sport background or length of time in and out of sport, as we aimed to purposively sample athletes from diverse backgrounds. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews and were asked questions about how peers, parents, and coaches influenced their motivation, dropout, and enjoyment in sport. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed according to Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis guidelines, moving sequentially from individual-level to group-level analyses in the generation of codes and higher-order themes. The most prominent themes amongst coach influence included positive and negative experiences, methods, style, and behaviour. Peer influence was dominated by themes of friendship and hostility, as well as their contribution to motivation. Parental influence was the least variable across participants, with certain priorities and characteristics consistent throughout the sample. Knowledge of these lived experiences can be utilized in future education practices to minimize drop-out rates, increase enjoyment, and aid in the facilitation of positive sport experiences.