Parental Desocialization in Sport Exploring the shame coping experiences of youth sport parents Julie A. Partridge, PhD Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Transitioning Out of Sport “A transition can be said to occur if an event or non-event results in a change in assumptions about oneself and the world and thus requires a corresponding change in one’s behavior and relationships” (Scholssberg, 1981, p. 5) Leaving sport has been found to be a significant stressor for athletes May lead to anxiety, depression, and coping difficulties, particularly for those with high levels of athletic identity (Grove et al., 1997; Wippert & Wippert, 2008; 2010) Impact of athletic retirement on athletes has been frequently studied; however, we know little about the experience of a child’s transitioning out of sport on parents Many different types of transitions that happen for athletes High school to college Starter to bench warmer Retirement

Parental Identification We can experience emotions through our associations with other people (in-group members) The closer the relationship, the more intense the emotional response that is experienced Parents have been found to be susceptible to experiencing both positive and negative emotions in response to their children’s behaviors (Scarnier, Schmader, Lickel; 2009) Partridge and Wann (2015) found that parental identification with a child’s sport team was associated with dysfunctional emotional response to a child’s sport performance More systematic study of parental responses to their child’s sport participation is needed to understand this complex relationship. Social Identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986) People derive a sense of identity from their social associations and thus are motivated to maintain a positive view of their social groups Lickel et al.(2006) found that people’s feelings of shame for another’s wrongdoing are predicted by the degree to which the event is seen as relevant to the reputation of their group

Bidirectional Sport Socialization Parents have been found to both gain interest and engage in behaviors surrounding sport, based upon their child’s participation (Weiss & Hayashi, 1995) More recently, more studies have examined the reciprocal nature of sport socialization (child-to-parent; Dorsch et al., 2008) and found changes in parental behaviors, cognitions, affect, relationships Effects of Athlete Retirement on Parents (Lally & Kerr, 2008) In-depth interviews with 6 parents of female former elite gymnasts (retired 3- 5 years) Reported two overall themes: Impact on Relationships Parent-parent, parent-child, parent-peer Lingering Doubts Child, coaches, family No research has examined effects of athlete retirement on parents with a non- elite sample. Changes in Parent Behaviors Influenced participation in sport, support/sacrifice to facilitate child’s involvement Changes in Parent Cognition Awareness in, goals for, knowledge about sport Changes in Parent Affect Emotional connection to sport, emotional management strategies, reactive emotional experiences Changes in Parent Relationships Communication, parent-child relationship, relationships with parent peers Existing research has indicated that parent-to-child sport socialization can have a significant impact on the child’s sport experience and competence beliefs (Babkes & Weiss, 1999; Wuerth et al., 2004) Child – physical/psychological health; Coaches – control, failure to intervene; Family – family integrity, dev’t of other children Olympic or national team members Should I have intervened before retirement on how my child was coached? Looking to future indicators such as career advancement,

Purpose/Method of Current Study The purpose of the current study is to explore the experience of leaving the role of sport parent for parents of non-elite level sport participants. Method Qualitative study of experience of leaving sport parent role Participants – parents of children who have recently (i.e., within the previous calendar year) left the sport role either voluntarily or involuntarily (N => 15) Semi-structured interviews Interviews are being recorded, transcribed verbatim and content will be inductively analyzed Member checking will take place after results are analyzed Both fathers and mothers being recruited Qualitative study of experience of leaving sport parent role Participants – parents of children who have recently (i.e., within the previous calendar year) left the sport role either voluntarily or involuntarily (N => 15) Semi-structured interviews Interviews are being recorded, transcribed verbatim and content will be inductively analyzed Member checking will take place after results are analyzed Both fathers and mothers will be recruited

Other Future Research Directions Longitudinal study utilizing both parent and child as participants Beginning of senior season of high school sport Re-assessed at end of senior season and 3 and 6 months post-retirement Are the child and parent’s reaction to retirement correlated?

Thank You Questions? Exploring the shame coping experiences of youth sport parents Questions?