Identifying effective factors in reducing parents' stress during children's participation in sports activities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, iran

2 Ph.d student of sports management at University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Department of Physical Education, Adib Mazandaran Institute of Higher Education

Abstract

Objective: Participating in sports has many benefits for children, but sometimes there are some problems that make a series of worries and stress in their parents. Therefore, the current research was carried out to identify factors reducing parents’ stress while their children participate in sports activities.
Methods:  The present study is practical in terms of its purpose and was conducted qualitatively via using the descriptive phenomenological method. The participants in the research consisted of university faculty members in the psychology department, sports psychologists, sports instructors, and parents in 2023. The sampling method was purposeful, and the interviews continued in a semi-structured manner up to number 14.
Results: Effective Factors in reducing parents' stress during their children's participation in sports activities include 6 main contents: motivational awareness; factors relating to parents, children themselves, instructors, and peer groups; and the structure of sports places and clubs, which form a total of 48 sub-contents.
Conclusion: Some of the most important themes expressed in the current research include proper interaction between parents, children, and club coaches, no verbal or physical violence by instructors towards elementary-aged children, and favorable relationships between children and their friends in the club.

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