Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study investigated the factors that go into youth athletes deciding to drop out of a sport versus staying in the sport. To test this, current Otterbein University athletes and non-athletes took an online questionnaire that asked specific questions pertaining to their experience in sport participation. We tested the hypotheses that (1) those who began specializing in sports at a younger age will be less likely to continue participation, (2) parental pressure would be a reason for dropout and parental support would influence the athletes to stay in, and (3) those who continued participation in sports would perceive a healthy lifestyle to be more important than those who are not currently involved. Results indicated partial support for these hypotheses. Supporting Hypothesis 1, specializing during younger vs. older years was associated with dropping out. Counter to Hypothesis 2, those who continued in their sport indicated having higher parental pressure than those who dropped out. In support of Hypothesis 2, however, those who continued participation indicated having higher parental support than those who dropped out. Finally, in support of Hypothesis 3, those who continued also indicated having increased perceptions of the value of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Author: Jessica R Shibko
Institution: Otterbein University
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1052780664