Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Kinesiology

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Youth sport athletes experience a wide range of social influences that impact their motivation and overall experiences in athletic endeavors. These relationships are complex and can have an impact on one another. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the complex social relationships that affect the youth sport experience, with the goal of furthering our understanding of how those social relationships satisfied or frustrated the need for relatedness in former youth sport athletes.

Study 1 examined the processes of the Coach-Athlete-Parent (C-A-P) Triangle and their relationships with relatedness need satisfaction and frustration. A battery of surveys was distributed to 260 former youth sport athletes who were current college students between the ages 18-23. The surveys assessed positive and negative perceptions of the C-A-P, relatedness need satisfaction and frustration, and intrinsic motivation. A path analysis was conducted to analyze the network of the relationships. Relatedness needs satisfaction mediated the relationship between positive processes in the C-A-P and interest and value. Negative processes of the C-A-P had a direct negative effect on perceived choice.

Study 2 was a phenomenological investigation exploring the perceptions of social influences of former youth sport athletes during their youth sport experience. Ten participants (5 male, 5 female) participated in interviews about various social influences during their youth sport experience. An inductive content analysis identified five higher order themes: positive relationships enhance the youth sport experience, negative social behaviors undermine the youth sport experience, peer relationships can mediate bad coaching behavior, the benefits and drawbacks of social media, and the value of youth sport. Strong bonds and relationships were associated with positive experiences in youth sport, while feeling disconnected or mistreated led to negative youth sport experiences.

Taken together, findings from these studies provide insight into how social relationships experienced by youth sport athletes can lead to feelings of relatedness or relatedness frustration which can in turn influence intrinsic motivation. A strong sense of relatedness enhanced youth sports experiences, while relatedness frustrations undermined the youth sport experience.

Date

6-28-2024

Committee Chair

Melinda Solmon

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Available for download on Monday, June 28, 2027

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