Parent-Child Emotion Regulation Within Competitive Youth Sport Families: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study

Youth sport participation can lead to stressful experiences for athletes and parents, and the manner in which negative emotions are regulated impacts their experiences and continued involvement. As primary socialization agents, parents and family members uniquely influence young athletes' emotional regulation within youth sport contexts. The purpose of this study was to examine emotion regulation dynamics within competitive youth sport families. Employing a multiple case study methodology, semistructured interviews were conducted with five distinct family units, comprising competitive youth athletes aged 11-12 years, their parents, siblings, and grandparents to understand the developmental implications of familial emotion regulation practices in youth sport. Findings indicated that transitions into competitive sport altered family identities and roles in emotional support, while a focus on effort sometimes overshadowed athletes' emotional needs. These results align with existing models of emotion regulation and highlight the importance of equipping parents with adaptive coregulation strategies.