The influence of family environment on children's goals in sport.

Abstract

The relationship of family environment and children's goals in sport is not a well established area of research and although findings to date are equivocal, links between various dimensions do appear to exist. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between family environment, particularly the perception of achievement orientation within the family, and the youth participants' goal orientation in hockey. The sample consisted of fifty-five female senior school hockey players, as well as their parents, that attended independent girls' schools in the Pietermartizburg and Durban areas. No significant relationship was found between the perception of achievement orientation in the family and the youth participants' goal orientation in sport. There were however, indications that other aspects of social climate within family environment, as perceived by the participants, influence youth goal orientation in sport. Findings also revealed links between positive parental involvement and intrinsic motivation, and perceived parental pressure and pressure experienced by the hockey players. The results are discussed in terms of the literature reviewed, and the implication and the limitations of the study are discussed, concluding with recommendations for future research.