A retrospective investigation of the perceived influence of coaches, parents and peers on talented football players’ motivation during development.

McCann, Bryan; McCarthy, Paul J.; Cooper, Kay; Forbes-McKay, Katrina; Keegan, Richard J.

Abstract

This study retrospectively explored perceptions of coach, parent and peer motivational influences across athlete development. Four investment stage football players (M age = 18.5years, SD=0.6) with an average of 13 (SD=1.4) years footballing experience, and four of their parents, were interviewed to investigate their perceptions of coach, parent and peer motivationally-relevant influence during the athletes’ sampling, specializing and investment stages of development. Abductive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified five categories of perceived social agent motivationally-relevant influence that were consistent amongst each social agent and across each development stage. Each social agent was perceived by participants to play a role in each of the following motivationally-relevant categories of social agent influence: relationship factors; interpersonal interactions; support for development; support for participation; and feedback and evaluation. The categories were somewhat supportive and reflective of those outlined in other models. The results describe a complex and dynamic social environment within which players develop and provide insight into how this socio-motivational environment changes as athletes develop. Identified categories of perceived motivationally-relevant social agent influence may provide a framework for future research and allow practitioners to better determine athletes' motivational needs. Sport practitioners may use the findings from the study to ensure that athletes are gaining the breadth of motivational influences described in the categories within this study. Coach education might be developed or adapted to educate coaches on the types and importance of socio-motivational influences in sport.

Citation

MCCANN, B., MCCARTHY, P.J., COOPER, K., FORBES-MCKAY, K. and KEEGAN, R.J. 2022. A retrospective investigation of the perceived influence of coaches, parents and peers on talented football players’ motivation during development. Journal of applied sport psychology [online], 34(6), pages 1227-1250. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2021.1963013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 26, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 23, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 23, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1041-3200
• Electronic ISSN: 1533-1571
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1227-1250
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2021.1963013
• Keywords: Football players; Behaviors; Motivational influences; Sport; Performance levels
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1437828