HLPE3530 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity

Assignment 2: Literature Review

Jenna Coates | Student ID: 2223059

Topic: Parental involvement in youth sport can have positive and negative consequences for
children.

Introduction: 
 
There is a significant amount of literature regarding the effect parental behaviour has on children and
adolescents in sport. However, there is minimal literature that focuses primarily on either positive or
negative behaviour, hence the need for research in this topic. Research supporting both behaviours has
been conducted, particularly as they relate to physical, intellectual, socio-emotional, interpersonal
development and child-parent relationships (Rothon, Goodwin and Stansfeld, 2011). Through
reviewing the current literature available, some key findings were identified from both positive and
negative forms of sports parenting from the viewpoints of coaches, parents and their children, which
are addressed below (Elliott and Drummond, 2017). Parents play a substantial role in the overall
development of their children, the attitude of a child and how they react in a situation. These
influences can all be determined when observing a parent’s level of immersion in their children’s
sport. Research suggests that a greater level of involvement can often lead to damaging parental
pressure (Cumming and Ewing, 2002). The pressure instigated by parents can result in a negative
consequence on the participation in youth sport and have a long-lasting impact on the mental well-
being of children. 

Method: 

With a wide range of literature available regarding parent involvement using minimal keywords to
ensure a precise search was conducted. Databases such as ProQuest, PubMed, Findit@Flinders and
Google Scholar were frequently used to search for new and relevant peer-reviewed journals, this
process was critical to emphasise the significance of intergrading current literature into my research.
After locating multiple articles through these search engines, several pieces were selected to build the
foundation of the literature review. The selection criteria were crucial to integrate the appropriate
references to benefit and support the evidence presented throughout the literature review. 

Key search terms; Parental involvement, parents in youth sport, parent-coaches, children mental
health.

Findings:
 
Parental Pressure:
High amounts of parental pressure can cause burnout in children and have lasting effects on their
mental health and well-being. Parents who are described as, “living through their children,” (Witt,
2018) are those who apply an unnecessary level of stress through junior sport, thereby impacting the
mental health of their children. Athletic burnout in youth causes them to withdraw from physical or
social situations, where they had once felt comfortable (Weinberg & Gould, 2011). A parent can be
considered the most important social influence during a child’s development (Rumbold, 2012). It is
integral that parents of youth influence in a positive way, to reduce the possibility of athletic burnout.
The pressure caused by excessive involvement from parents can lead to several symptoms that reflect
athletic burnout. Specifically, these symptoms can include both poor sleep and interpersonal
HLPE3530 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity
Assignment 2: Literature Review
Jenna Coates | Student ID: 2223059

activities; both of which can cause damage to the mental wellbeing of the participant (Weinberg &
Gould, 2011). The burnout caused by parental pressure can be attributed to the psychosocial sport
stress that is built up over time (Williams and Krane, 2014). Stress can be defined as an imbalance
between demand and capability (Weinberg & Gould, 2011), and as the demand continues to increase,
the ability begins to decline. As a junior athlete copes with the idea of success, several stressors can
affect their physical ability and impact their physical performance (Williams and Krane, 2014). With
these stressors already affecting the physical capabilities throughout the performance, studies propose
that the greater level of parent involvement can often lead to unnecessary stress on the athlete with
expectations that are unrealistic and become more idealistic failing to identify to the any concerns
(Cumming and Ewing, 2002).

With children competing training at younger ages, there can be negative consequences on family life
due to sport (Weinberg & Gould, 2011). While children may begin to prioritise sport over other parts
of life, including school and family, parents need to control the balance at a young age. A maintained
physical regime will reduce the risk of burnout and contribute to a healthy relationship between parent
and child. 

Parental input and involvement in youth sport is necessary to ensure that junior athletes are provided
with an appropriate level of appraisal and encouragement. Too much involvement can cause
unnecessary pressure on the competitors, which may lead to lack of motivation and emotional
burnout. Youth athletes frequently feel that they have little control over their decision to play sports
(Witt, 2018). Parents play a significant role in the experience of youth sport, to the extent, it has been
found that several parents contribute supportive and encouraging behaviours towards youth sport
(Keegan, Harwood, Spray and Lavallee, 2009). Nevertheless, an abundance of modern literature
would argue otherwise, providing many arguments that lead into negative discussion and detrimental
impacts on children in the sporting community (Keegan, Harwood, Spray and Lavallee, 2009). With a
shortage of youth participation in sport, there must be a high level of encouragement to any
participants. Knowledge should be provided to the parents of participants to ensure that they provide
the optimal level of encouragement without incurring unnecessary pressure.  

Motivation in Youth Sport: 

Ensuring that children remain motivated is key to increase the level of participation in youth sport.
Research has proven that the influence of parental support and encouragement has been linked to the
enhancement of a child’s enjoyment, and perception of their ability (Brewer, 2009). A selective
number of children elect to partake in sport on their own, without the influence of other social
interactions with parents, coaches, and peers (Allen, 2003). Research shows these factors accompany
both the quality and ability of children when participating in sport. Youth participation in sport has a
significant influence on children due to the opportunities it provides to assist the development of
interpersonal interaction and socio-emotional aspects between their team, coaches and parents (Allen,
2003).

An increased level of self-worth supports the competence motivation theory, whereby a participant’s
increased feeling of competence has a beneficial effect on their motivation (Weinberg & Gould,
2011). Higher levels of participation should be promoted by those involved with junior-level sport,
HLPE3530 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity
Assignment 2: Literature Review
Jenna Coates | Student ID: 2223059

consequently resulting in a positive overall impact on children in sporting environments. According to

the general theory of motivation, situations, where participants do not feel competent in their sport,
will cause a decline in motivation levels (Williams, 2014). Feedback provided by parents can play a
large impact on the level of competence felt by a junior athlete. It is important that parents address the
overall performance of the junior athlete, as a focus on winning or losing may suggest too much
emphasis on the result (Williams, 2014). 

The universal decline in youth participation in sport implies an overall lack of motivation to continue
(“Australian Sports Commission”, n.d, para. 8). Furthermore, parents need to understand the level of
encouragement that motivates their children, and the barriers that may be faced throughout physical
activity, (“Australian Sports Commission”, n.d., para. 3) including anxiety levels, and external
pressure to perform (Weinberg & Gould, 2011). Excessive involvement from parents can begin to
cause pressure on the young competitors; high level of pressure is considered a situational factor that
can reduce participant motivation (Weinberg & Gould, 2011). 

  
Parent-coaches in Youth Sport:
It has been established that the relationships parents form with their children through sport, play a
significant role in how the athlete behaves, their ability and their overall performance. There are
minimal studies that discuss the positive and negatives children face when they are faced with a
parent in a coaching situation. It has been established parents often enunciate unconstructive and
negative criticism toward children throughout their performance (Elliott and Drummond, 2017).
Parents continue to stress the importance of winning and place unrealistic expectations on their child,
resulting in lower levels of participation. There is a lack of literature surrounding the possible
contradictory role of parents who coach their children in youth sport. Although they can make a
constructive and considerable influence on their child’s sport, a significant amount of negativity can
amount from these roles (Elliott and Drummond, 2017). Weiss and Fretwell (2005) propose there are
probable benefits of parent-coaching including spending time together and sharing positive social-
emotional connections, parent/coach connections can also be antagonistic and unmanageable
behaviours among children (Weiss and Fretwell, 2005). With a dual role of a parent/coach, many
boundaries become blurred, negatively impacting the family elements, in several circumstances’
youth athletes describe parental behaviours to be abusive and degrading (Jowett, 2008). Children
should be able to receive constructive criticism without feeling degraded or potentially causing
conflict, as the dual role of a parent-coach can occasionally limit deserving recognition and increase
criticism, driving a wedge into their relationship (Elliott and Drummond, 2017). Many parent-coaches
exemplify the behaviours observed in their own youth sporting experiences from coaches or role
models of their own. Along with witnessing other parent practises in the coaching or spectating role in
their own sporting experiences (Elliott and Drummond, 2017). However, the coaching experiences
may differ according to the ability and age group that is being coached (Elliott and Drummond, 2017).
While the available literature constructs a partially negative adherence to parent-coaches, based on the
findings, many considerations can be measured as well as noteworthy positive experiences.

Conclusion: 
HLPE3530 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity
Assignment 2: Literature Review
Jenna Coates | Student ID: 2223059

Based on the conceptual ideas and findings presented in this literature review, this proposed study
aims to explore and evaluate the factors that influence parental involvement in youth sport and the
positive and negative consequences it has on children. The study hopes to increase specific strategies
and obtain further insight to improve the amount of negative parental involvement during a child’s
sporting experiences and reduce the implications that may occur during. The significance of the
proposed study is emphasized by the lack of research specifically focusing on the benefits that
children will gain from positive reinforcement, constructive criticism and reduced amounts of
pressure. The research conducted within the articles has also not considered the different abilities, age
group or genders in their findings. Nonetheless, there are substantial gaps in this current research,
concerning the involvement of parents in youth sport and the positive and negative consequences it
has on their children, in which this study aims to analyse.

References:

Allen, J., 2003. Social motivation in youth sport. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology,, 25(4),
pp.551-567.
Australian Sports Commission, 2020. Youth Participation. [online] Sport Australia. Available at:
<https://www.sportaus.gov.au/youth_participation> [Accessed 20 May 2020].
Brewer, B., 2009. Sport Psychology. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
HLPE3530 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity
Assignment 2: Literature Review
Jenna Coates | Student ID: 2223059

Cumming, S. and Ewing, M., 2002. Parental Involvement in Youth Sports: The Good, the Bad and the
Ugly. Research Gate, 11(1).
Elliott, S. and Drummond, M., 2017. The experience of parent-coaches in youth sport: A qualitative
case study from Australia. Journal of Amateur Sport, 3(3), pp.64-85.
Jowett, S., 2008. Outgrowing the familial coach-athlete relationship. International Journal of Sport
Psychology, 39, pp.20-40.
Keegan, R., Harwood, C., Spray, C. and Lavallee, D., 2009. A qualitative investigation exploring the
motivational climate in early career sports participants: Coach, parent and peer influences on
sport motivation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(3), pp.361-372.
Rothon, C., Goodwin, L. and Stansfeld, S., 2011. Family social support, community “social capital”
and adolescents’ mental health and educational outcomes: a longitudinal study in
England. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47(5), pp.697-709.
Weinberg, R. and Gould, D., 2018. Foundations Of Sport And Exercise Psychology. 7th ed.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers USA.
Weiss, M. and Fretwell, S., 2005. The Parent-Coach/Child-Athlete Relationship in Youth
Sport. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76(3), pp.286-305.
Williams, J. and Krane, V., 2014. Applied Sport Psychology. 7th ed. HSSL.
Witt, P., 2018. Why Children/Youth Drop Out of Sports. Journal of Park and Recreation
Administration, 36(3), pp.191-199.