Qualitative Analysis of Micro-System-Level Factors Determining Sport Persistence

Area of Science:

• Sport Psychology
• Sociology of Sport
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Sport persistence is crucial for athletic performance and mental toughness.
• It involves navigating challenges like plateaus, failures, and injuries.
• Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model provides a framework for understanding influencing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors influencing sport persistence in high school and university athletes.
• To explore motivational factors within the microsystem using a qualitative approach.
• To answer: What factors dominate sport persistence development in adolescent and young adult athletes within Bronfenbrenner's microsystem?

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research employing semi-structured interviews with 133 athletes.
• Data analysis using ATLAS.ti software and grounded theory methodology.
• Responses categorized according to Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model, focusing on the microsystem.

Main Results:

• Family, peers, and coaches were identified as key microsystem influences.
• Specific motivational components were detailed for family (general, person-specific, values, future, introjected, disadvantage-compensating).
• Peer influences included general, individual, community, and relational factors; coach influences included general, individual, community, and personality-driven factors.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing the interplay of systemic factors is key for intervention design.
• Targeting factors at various socio-ecological levels can promote youth sports.
• Findings offer hope and motivation for the future of sports and physical activity.