Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Youth Participation in Organized and Informal Sports Activities Across Childhood and Adolescence: Exploring the Relationships of Motivational Beliefs, Developmental Stage and Gender

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Involvement in physically active pursuits, such as sports, contributes to achieving and maintaining good emotional and physical health. The central goal of this article was to examine the longitudinal relationships between participation (i.e., time spent in the activities) in organized and informal sports contexts and motivational beliefs, and factors that might impact these relationships, such as developmental stage and gender. The data for the current study were drawn from the childhood and beyond longitudinal study, which utilized a cohort sequential design with data collected on three cohorts across four waves. The current study sample included 986 European American youth (51 % female), who t were mostly from working- and middle-class families. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data from the youth about their participation in sports and their motivational beliefs (i.e., value and perceptions of competence) about this activity. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between participation and motivational beliefs across childhood and adolescence. The results provide some support for a model of reciprocal relationships between participation and motivational beliefs in organized and informal sports activities. These relationships between participation and motivational beliefs did not vary significantly based on developmental stage or by gender. Overall, the findings suggest that participation in organized and informal sports contexts may be fostered by supporting the development of positive motivational beliefs about the activities across developmental periods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, P., & Butcher, K. F. (2006). Childhood obesity: Trends and potential causes. The Future of Children, 16, 19–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B., Reese, H. W., & Lipsitt, L. P. (1980). Life-span developmental psychology. Annual Review of Psychology, 31, 65–110.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bem, S. L. (1981). Gender schema theory: A cognitive account of sex-typing. Psychological Review, 88, 354–364. doi:10.1037//0033-295X.88.4.354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bem, S. L. (1993). The lens of gender: Transforming the debate on sexual inequality. New Haven: Connecticut University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengoechea, E. G., Sabiston, C. M., Ahmed, R., & Farnoush, M. (2010). Exploring links to unorganized and organized physical activity during adolescence: The role of gender, socio-economic status, weight status, and enjoyment of physical education. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81(2), 7–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and by design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruininks, V. L., & Bruininks, R. H. (1977). Motor proficiency of learning disabled and nondisabled students. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 44, 1131–1137. doi:10.2466/pms.1977.44.3c.1131.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 14, 464–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, G. W., & Rensvold, R. B. (2002). Evaluating goodness-of-fit indexes for testing measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 9, 233–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darling, N., Caldwell, L. L., & Smith, R. (2005). Participation in school-based extracurricular activities and adolescent adjustment. Journal of Leisure Research, 37, 51–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawes, N. P., & Larson, R. (2011). How youth get engaged: Grounded-theory research on motivational development in organized youth programs. Developmental Psychology, 47, 259–269.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., & Bryant, J. (1987). Adolescence: Gateway to gender-role transcendence. In B. Carter (Ed.), Current conceptions of sex roles and sex typing (pp. 225–241). New York, NY: Praeger Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., & Harold, R. D. (1991). Gender differences in sport involvement: Applying the Eccles’ expectancy value model. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 3, 7–35. doi:10.1080/10413209108406432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., & Midgley, C. (1989). Stage/environment fit: Developmentally appropriate classrooms for early adolescents. In R. Ames & C. Ames (Eds.), Research on motivation in education (Vol. 3, pp. 139–181). New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwardson, C. L., & Gorely, T. (2010). Parental influences on different types and intensities of physical activity in youth: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11, 522–535. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.05.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredricks, J. A., & Eccles, J. S. (2002). Children’s competence and value beliefs from childhood through adolescence: Growth trajectories in two male-sex-typed domains. Developmental Psychology, 38, 519–533. doi:10.1037//0012-1649.38.4.519.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fredricks, J. A., & Eccles, J. S. (2005). Family socialization, gender, and sport motivation and involvement. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 27, 3–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauvain, M., & Perez, S. M. (2005). Parent-child participation in planning children’s activities outside of school in European American and Latino families. Child Development, 76, 371–383.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilchrist, P., & Wheaton, B. (2011). Lifestyle sport, public policy and youth engagement: Examining the emergence of parkour. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 3, 109–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greendorfer, S. L., Lewko, J. H., & Rosengren, K. S. (1996). Family and gender-based influences in sport socialization of children and adolescents. In F. L. Smoll & R. E. Smith (Eds.), Children and youth in sport: A biopsychosocial perspective (pp. 89–111). Dubuque: McGaw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hidi, S. (2000). Motivating the academically unmotivated: A critical issue for the 21st century. Review of Educational Research, 70, 151–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. P., & Lynch, M. E. (1983). The intensification of gender-related role expectations during early adolescence. In J. Brooks-Gunn & A. C. Peterson (Eds.), Girls at puberty (pp. 201–228). New York: Plenum Press.

  • Horn, J. L., & McArdle, J. J. (1992). A practical and theoretical guide to measurement invariance in aging research. Experimental Aging Research, 18, 117–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IOM Brief Report. (2006). Progress in preventing childhood obesity: How do we measure up? Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu.

  • Jacobs, J. E., Lanza, S., Osgood, D. W., Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2002). Changes in children’s self-competence and values: Sex and domain differences across grades one through twelve. Child Development, 73, 509–527. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jarrett, R. L., Ozge, S. B., & Taylor, M. (2011). “Holler, run, be lound:” Strategies for promoting child physical activity in a low-income. African American Neighborhood, 25(6), 825–836. doi:10.1037/a0026195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kambas, A., & Aggeloussis, N. (2006). Construct validity of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-short form for a sample of Greek preschool and primary school children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 102, 65–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keating, D. (2004). Cognitive and brain development. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology (pp. 45–84). New York, NY: Wiley.

  • Larson, R. (2011). Positive development in a disorderly world. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(2), 317–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. M., Nihiser, A., Strouse, D., Das, B., Michael, S., & Huhman, M. (2010). Correlates of children and parents being physically active together. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 7, 776–783.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, T. D., Preacher, K. J., Selig, J. P., & Card, N. A. (2007). New developments in latent variable panel analyses of longitudinal data. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 31, 357–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, H. W., Gerlach, E., Trautwein, U., Ludtke, O., & Brettschneider, W. (2007). Longitudinal study of preadolescent sport self-concept and performance: Reciprocal effects and causal ordering. Child Development, 78, 1640–1656.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, H. W., & Shavelson, R. (1985). Self-concept: Its multifaceted, hierarchical structure. Educational Psychologist, 20, 107–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. B., Reeve, T. G., & Boan, T. (1986). Reliability of the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency with five-year-old children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 62, 223–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2007). Mplus user’s guide (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthen & Muthen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabiston, C. M., & Crocker, P. R. E. (2008). Exploring self-perception and social influences as correlates of adolescent leisure-time physical activity. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30, 3–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, J. L., & Graham, J. W. (2002). Missing data: Our view of the state of the art. Psychological Methods, 7, 147–177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shavelson, R. J., Hubner, J. J., & Stanton, G. C. (1976). Self-concept: Validation of construct interpretations. Review of Educational Research, 46, 407–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpkins, S. D., Davis-Kean, P. E., & Eccles, J. S. (2006). Math and science motivation: A longitudinal examination of the links between choices and beliefs. Developmental Psychology, 42, 70–83. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.42.1.70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simpkins, S. D., Delgado, M. Y., Price, C. D., Quach, A., & Starbuck, E. (2013). Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture, and immigration: Examining the potential mechanisms underlying Mexican-origin adolescents’ organized activity participation. Developmental Psychology, 49, 706–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpkins, S. D., Vest, A. E., & Becnel, J. N. (2009). Participating in sport and music activities in adolescence: The role of activity participation and motivational beliefs during elementary school. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 1368–1386. doi:10.1007/s10964-009-9448-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slavkin, M. (2001). How can awareness of gender identity improve the performance of students? Journal of College Reading and Learning, 32, 32–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smetana, J. G. (2002). Culture, autonomy, and personal jurisdiction in adolescent-parent relationships. In R. V. Kail & H. W. Reese (Eds.), Advances in child development and behavior (Vol. 29, pp. 51–87). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. E., & Smoll, F. L. (1997). Coach-mediated team building in youth sports. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 9, 114–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spiegel, A. N., Steffens, K. M., Rynders, J. E., & Bruininks, R. H. (1990). The early motor profile: Correlation with the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 71, 645–646.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ullrich-French, S., & Smith, A. L. (2006). Perceptions of relationships with parents and peers in youth sport: Independent and combined prediction of motivational outcomes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7, 193–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigfield, A., & Eccles, J. S. (2000). Expectancy-value theory of achievement motivation. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25, 68–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author contributions

N.P.D. conceived of the study, participated in its design, performed statistical analysis and interpretation of the data, drafted the manuscript, and coordinated all work on the manuscript. S.D. also participated in the conception of the study, contributed to data analysis and interpretation of results, and helped to draft the manuscript. A.V. performed some statistical analysis, contributed to interpretation of data, and helped to draft sections of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02125, USA

    Nickki Pearce Dawes

  2. School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 873701, Tempe, AZ, 85287-3701, USA

    Andrea Vest & Sandra Simpkins

Authors
  1. Nickki Pearce Dawes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrea Vest
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandra Simpkins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nickki Pearce Dawes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dawes, N.P., Vest, A. & Simpkins, S. Youth Participation in Organized and Informal Sports Activities Across Childhood and Adolescence: Exploring the Relationships of Motivational Beliefs, Developmental Stage and Gender. J Youth Adolescence 43, 1374–1388 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9980-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9980-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation