The present investigation evaluated sport-related motivational climates by assessing personal and perceived parental goal orientations and perceived parental pressure in children and adolescents. Data were collected from 202 middle-class, racially diverse students, including 43 male and 50 female children aged 12 or below (M age = 10.6) and 51 male and 58 female adolescents aged 13 or above (M age = 14.7), who had participated in a variety of organized sports, and were enrolled in elementary, middle, and high schools of the Dallas (TX) Independent School District. Measures included personal and parental projected versions (mother's and father's) of the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), the Sport Parental Pressure Scale (mother's and father's versions), and a background assessment.

<p>Participation in recreational and formal sports can play a vital role in enhancing adolescents&rsquo / wellbeing. Research indicates that involvement in different forms of recreation and physical activities offer beneficial effects on the physical and mental health status of individuals. Sports participation has also been associated with lowered obesity, multiple risk behaviours, smoking and substance abuse. In South Africa rural and urban areas are increasingly affected by violence and a range of psychosocial problems such as youth crime, substance abuse and alcohol abuse. The aim of this research project was to explore the perceptions of community leaders of the role of sports participation in dealing with psychosocial problems amongst adolescents in a rural area. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the perceptions of community leaders. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants according to the criteria set by researcher. The data was collected through the process of 10 indepth, semi-structured interviews with Afrikaans speaking community leaders, male and female from the two rural towns in the Cederberg region namely, Lamberts Bay and Clanwilliam. The semi-structured interview schedule consisted of five open-ended questions. A thematic content analysis was used to interpret the information. The study revealed that community leaders perceived sports participation as a protective factor against psychosocial problems within the community. They discussed sports benefits under three broad themes namely, health benefits, societal benefits and emotional benefits. The study further revealed poor financial resources, transport and poor facilities to be the major constraints for sports participation in their area. Future studies which explore the role of sports participation should include more information from a female&rsquo / s perspective, to enrich and understand the benefits of sports participation amongst females in the community.</p>

Thesis--Gothenburg. / "Gymnastik och Idrotts-projektet, 15. Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references (p. [1-11] (2d group)).

published_or_final_version / abstract / Physical Education and Sport Science / Master / Master of Philosophy

This study focused on student athletes' perceptions of sport and education. The following research question was used to establish a framework for this thesis: Is there a significant difference in athletes' perceptions of sport and education between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta? The independent variable was the sport category (hockey or basketball) and the dependent variable was the athletes'responses to the survey. A self-developed survey instrument entitled Sport and Education Survey (ESS) was utilized to gather information. The survey drew upon thirteen statements that were grouped according to their relevance to each hypothesis. Five additional statements were included for the purpose of categorization, description and discussion. The survey was administered to a sample of 158 males who played either hockey or basketball and were currently in grades 10, 11 or 12. An approximate equal representation was reached by surveying four hockey teams and eight basketball teams. Three hypotheses were examined and tested: H1) There is a significant difference in perceptions of education between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta. H2) There is a significant difference in perceptions of sport between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta. H3) There is a significant difference in perceptions of post-secondary education between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta. Testing the hypotheses required the used of the Chi-square test in cross tabulations. H1 and H3 are rejected: the findings indicate that both groups are concerned about their performance in education and they plah to attend post-secondary education. H2 is supported: 76.3% of hockey players at the midget AAA level were planning to become professional athletes, while only 35.4% of 4A basketball players were planning to become professional athletes. Upon high school graduation most midget AAA hockey players' choose to apprentice in the junior hockey ranks in hopes of becoming a professional athlete or to receive an athletic scholarship. Whereas the priority most 4A basketball players is to immediately attend college or university on a failure basis with or without an athletic scholarship. / x, 85 leaves ; 29 cm.

This study investigated the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) coaches' perceptions of the existing process of referral and collaboration between themselves and psychologists, as well as ways to improve this process. Thirteen of the 15 head coaches were interviewed. The Coach Interview Questionnair provided the framework for the semi-structured interviews. Participants provided responses which included demographic information, information regarding the current referral process, their current level of collaboration, their satisfaction, attitudes and beliefs about referral and collaboration, as well as what player problems require referrals. The findings indicated that there is a substantial need for psychologists to be involved with junior "A" hockey players. A comprehensive guidance and counselling program is recommended to the AJHL in response to the expressed needs for psychological services. / x, 177 leaves ; 29 cm.

<p>Participation in recreational and formal sports can play a vital role in enhancing adolescents&rsquo / wellbeing. Research indicates that involvement in different forms of recreation and physical activities offer beneficial effects on the physical and mental health status of individuals. Sports participation has also been associated with lowered obesity, multiple risk behaviours, smoking and substance abuse. In South Africa rural and urban areas are increasingly affected by violence and a range of psychosocial problems such as youth crime, substance abuse and alcohol abuse. The aim of this research project was to explore the perceptions of community leaders of the role of sports participation in dealing with psychosocial problems amongst adolescents in a rural area. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the perceptions of community leaders. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants according to the criteria set by researcher. The data was collected through the process of 10 indepth, semi-structured interviews with Afrikaans speaking community leaders, male and female from the two rural towns in the Cederberg region namely, Lamberts Bay and Clanwilliam. The semi-structured interview schedule consisted of five open-ended questions. A thematic content analysis was used to interpret the information. The study revealed that community leaders perceived sports participation as a protective factor against psychosocial problems within the community. They discussed sports benefits under three broad themes namely, health benefits, societal benefits and emotional benefits. The study further revealed poor financial resources, transport and poor facilities to be the major constraints for sports participation in their area. Future studies which explore the role of sports participation should include more information from a female&rsquo / s perspective, to enrich and understand the benefits of sports participation amongst females in the community.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of British Columbia, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-222).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.