The Initial Questionnaire Development in Measuring of Coach-Athlete–Parent Interpersonal Relationships: Results of Two Qualitative Investigations

Abstract

The interpersonal relationship among the coach, athlete, and parent (C-A-P) in youth sports is a complex and dynamic phenomenon. The evaluation of such interpersonal relationship becomes an important factor in trying to understand the overall youth sports environment. The purpose of this study was to begin the development of a questionnaire to assess the coach-athlete–parent interpersonal relationships in youth sports. To achieve our purpose, two qualitative studies were conducted. In the first qualitative study, 136 research participants completed an online questionnaire asking for statements concerning the C-A-P based on an extensive literature review. In the second phase, a follow up phenomenological study design was conducted. For the phenomenological study, 30 participants (10 coaches, 10 athletes, and 10 youth sports parents) completed in-depth interviews. Based on both qualitative study results, the following three themes emerged: group processes, motivation, and over-involvement. The two qualitative investigations revealed themes and 48 potential questions to be used in developing a C-A-P questionnaire in quantifying the C-A-P results.

Discriminant validity of the positive and negative processes in the C–A–P Questionnaire

“…The PNPCAP is a valid brief measure for assessing interpersonal relationships among coaches, athletes, and parents in the youth context. Extensive qualitative and quantitative research by Lisinskiene and her colleagues (Lisinskiene et al, 2019a;Lisinskiene et al, 2019b) went into developing the PNPCAP. Even with the initial results supporting the structure of the PNPCAP, discriminant validity had yet to be examined.…”

“…However, no one questionnaire uses the same statement stem and questions to measure the youth sport experience from the perspectives of coaches, parents, and athletes. Thus, Lisinskiene and her colleagues developed the Positive and Negative Processes in the C-A-P Questionnaire (PNPCAP) via both qualitative (Lisinskiene, May, and Lochbaum, 2019b) and quantitative methodology (Lisinskiene, Lochbaum, May, and Huml, 2019a).…”

Quantifying the Coach–Athlete–Parent (C–A–P) Relationship in Youth Sport: Initial Development of the Positive and Negative Processes in the C–A–P Questionnaire (PNPCAP)

“…Moreover, sport administrators could influence specific interventions to stabilize the athletic triad. To this end, only a 48-item questionnaire of the C–A–P exists, developed by Lisinskiene et al [19]. Recent qualitative research involved two studies where 136 research participants participated in qualitative study 1, and the main categories were found.…”

“…As previously mentioned, quantitative evaluation of the C–A–P relationship is fragmented. Lisinskiene et al [19] qualitatively investigated the C–A–P relationship, resulting in 48 items across a number of dimensions. To date, Lisinskiene et al’s [19] 48 items have not been subjected to quantitative questionnaire development, leaving the evaluation of the C–A–P system in youth sport in need of more rigorous research.…”

“…Lisinskiene et al [19] qualitatively investigated the C–A–P relationship, resulting in 48 items across a number of dimensions. To date, Lisinskiene et al’s [19] 48 items have not been subjected to quantitative questionnaire development, leaving the evaluation of the C–A–P system in youth sport in need of more rigorous research. Thus, the purpose of this two-study investigation was to develop a reliable and valid questionnaire for measuring the C–A–P interpersonal relationships in a youth sport setting based on the 48 items from Lisinskiene et al [19].…”