Open Collections

Wall, Jessie M.; Baugh, Leah M.; Pradhan, Kesha; Beauchamp, Mark R. (Mark Robert), 1972-; Marshall, Sheila, 1956-

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of the coach-parent relationship in Canadian competitive figure skating. Design: Qualitative, interpretive description. Method: Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews with 12 mothers of competitive figure skaters and 12 coaches (M years of experience = 25). All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively using conventional content analysis and constant comparative techniques. Results: Findings indicated that parents described a range of experiences of the coach-parent relationship, from negative and distant, to positive and enjoyable, while coaches described their experiences as mostly positive and enjoyable but with the potential for the relationship to be challenging and contentious. Participants’ descriptions of their experiences clustered around three configurations that represented different views about the nature of the coach-parent relationship, including (a) collaborative, (b) coach-athlete centric, and (c) contractual. These configurations are discussed in light of three prominent themes that characterized the relationship: expertise, communication, and trust. Conclusions: This study highlights the unique features of the coach-parent relationship in Canadian competitive figure skating, including the different ways that parents and coaches relate with one another, and draws parallels with other relationships in sport. Understanding the coach-parent relationship not only extends the extant literature on interpersonal relationships in sport, but is also important for facilitating positive youth sport environments and youth development in competitive sport.

Article; Postprint

eng

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0449143

Arts, Faculty of; Education, Faculty of; Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of; Kinesiology, School of; Social Work, School of

10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101577

Faculty; Researcher; Graduate

DSpace