title: The Contribution of Organized Youth Sport to Antisocial and Prosocial Behavior in Adolescent Athletes.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the contribution of organized youth sport to antisocial and prosocial behavior in adolescent athletes. The sample consisted of N=260 male and female soccer players and competitive swimmers, 12 to 18 years of age. Multilevel regression analysis revealed that 8% of the variance in antisocial behavior and 7% of the variance in prosocial behavior could be attributed to characteristics of the sporting environment. Results suggested that coaches who maintain good relationships with their athletes reduce antisocial behavior, and that exposure to relatively high levels of sociomoral reasoning within the immediate context of sporting activities promotes prosocial behavior. These results point to specific aspects of adolescents' participation in sport that can be used to realize the educational potential of organized youth sport.
authors: University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94208, 1090, GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.rutten@uva.nl.
authors: Esther A
authors: EA
authors: Rutten
authors: University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Geert Jan J M
authors: GJ
authors: Stams
authors: University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
authors: Gert J J
authors: GJ
authors: Biesta
authors: University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Schuengel
authors: University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Evelien
authors: E
authors: Dirks
authors: University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Jan B
authors: JB
authors: Hoeksma
keywords: Antisocial behavior; Coach-athlete relationship quality; Moral reasoning; Prosocial behavior; Sociomoral atmosphere