Parental behavior and their relationship with physical activity perception and learning difficulties: a pilot study

Parents can influence their children's perceptions in the physical and sports field. The present study aimed to identify parental behavior profiles and examine their role in physical activity perception and learning difficulties. The parents of 289 students with Specific Educational Support Needs (SNES) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) completed several self-report measures. Cluster analyses were carried out to identify the influence of parental behavior on these students' physical activity perception and learning difficulties. Cluster analyses revealed two parental behavior profiles: (a) with low scores on parental adjustment, parent-child-relationship, and coercive parenting, (b) with average scores on parental adjustment, parent-child-relationship, and slightly positive in coercive parenting. MANOVA indicated that sons and daughters raised by parents of profile (a) showed low physical activity adequacy and difficulties in mathematical competence. Sons and daughters raised by parents of profile (b) showed better scores in sport adequacy (perceived feeling of efficacy when performing physical activity) but higher difficulties in oral expression and writing. In conclusion, parental behaviors play a crucial role in sons' and daughters' sports perceptions and learning difficulties, which may condition the participation of children in motor activities, their health and academic performance.