PARENTAL BEHAVIOR, ACHIEVEMENT GOAL AND SPORT GOALS: A STUDY WITH YOUNG ATHLETES

Abstract

Sara Vasconcelos y A. Rui Gomes

This study analyzed the relationship between parental behavior, achievement goal orientation and perception of achievement of sport goals in youth sport. The sample included 711 athletes (89 girls and 622 boys), with ages between 12 and 19 years old (M = 14.77; SD = 1.86). The athletes answered an evaluation protocol with four instruments: Demographic Questionnaire, Questionnaire of Parental Behaviors in Sport, Achievement Goal Scale for Youth Sport, and Performance Goal Incongruence Scale. The results showed differences among these psychological variables according to personal and sport variables of athletes. Parental behavior and achievement of personal goals were also relevant in the prediction of achievement goal orientation. In conclusion, the results showed the importance of parental behavior, achievement goal orientation, and perception of achievement of sport goals in the study of the psychological experience of young athletes, suggesting the need for further investigations in this field.