The Impact of Evidence-Based Parent Education in Organized Youth Sport: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Although existing literature in organized youth sport illuminates developmentally appropriate parent involvement behaviors, practitioners have yet to effectively disseminate evidence-based tools and strategies to parents. The purpose of the present pilot study was to design, implement, and assess an evidence-based education program for parents in organized youth sport. 39 fathers and 42 mothers from seven youth soccer teams were assigned to full-, partial-, or nonimplementation conditions. Parents and their sport-participating children (41 boys and 40 girls)were administered surveys at pre and postseason. Data reveal a positive impact of the implementation on aspects of parent involvement, the parent-child relationship, and salient child outcomes.

Parenting in sport

“…Expanding beyond the presentation model used by Dorsch and colleagues [49], both and Christensen [51]. Together, these two articles provide clear support for the value of utilizing reflective, practical activities to facilitate parents" understanding and awareness of their involvement.…”

“…In one of the first evaluated parent-education interventions, Dorsch and colleagues [49] conducted a pilot study with 81 parents from seven U8 or U10 soccer teams. Parents were separated across three groups: a full intervention group, who received a researchinformed 45 minute presentation along with an education guide; a partial intervention group who received only the guide, and; a non-implementation group who received no information.…”

The role of community sports clubs in adolescent mental health: the perspectives of adolescent males’ parents

“…Parents have a natural role in providing support to their child before, during and after sport participation (Tamminen and Holt 2012). Indeed, a recent pilot study of parental education found that sport was a particularly useful environment to target parent behaviours and parent-adolescent relationships (Dorsch et al 2016).…”

Parental Involvement in Sport: Psychometric Development and Empirical Test of a Theoretical Model

“…Athletes' psychological variables conducive to achievement in sport. While the parental involvement literature has often focused on children's achievement goals as an outcome of primary interest, a body of research suggests that parental involvement may have its most direct influence on children's attributes that lead to achievement (e.g., Allen, 2003;Babkes & Weiss, 1999;Chan, Lonsdale, & Fung, 2012;Dorsch, King, Dunn, Osai, & Tulane, 2016;Woolger & Power, 2000). Thus, the model of parental involvement in sport (Teques & Serpa, 2009 identifies four psychological variables associated with athletes' achievement which are susceptible to the influence of parents' behaviours: self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and social self-efficacy in relating to coaches.…”