Perfis de envolvimento parental no futebol juvenil: um estudo com jovens atletas

This study analysed the differences in athletes’ perception of parental behaviours, considering the importance of athletes’ age category. It was also verified if different parental involvement profiles, according to athletes’ evaluation of their parents’ behaviours, corresponded to differences in motivational orientation and in performance perception of the young athletes. The study included 292 male athletes, aged between 12 and 19 years old (M = 15.0; DP = 1.5), playing football in the national championship. Three instruments were used: (1) Parental Behaviours in Sports Questionnaire; (2) Achievement goal scale for youth sport; (3) Sport Performance Perception Questionnaire. The results indicated: (a) differences in the perception of father’s and mother’s behaviours, separately, and these differences changed according to athletes’ age category; and (b) motivational orientation and performance perception varied according to the perceived parental involvement profile. In sum, the results demonstrate the importance of parental behaviours in youth sports and this aspect should be considered by professionals who work with young athletes.