title: Adolescents' Perception of the Psychosocial Factors affecting Sustained Engagement in Sports and Physical Activity.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore adolescents' perceptions of psychosocial influences - personal characteristics, environmental factors and behavioural undertakings - influencing their prolonged involvement in sports and physical activity (PA). A qualitative approach was adopted wherein 16 adolescents (8 boys, 8 girls; mean age 15.9 years), who had been physically active for at least the last 8 years, and sixteen adults identified as their 'parents' or 'guardians' participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using the HyperRESEARCH software. Data were analysed using thematic analysis procedures. Four main themes pertaining to psychosocial influences were identified: 1) personal characteristics; 2) school and community resources; 3) parental support; and 4) social interaction. Except for social interaction, for which participants did not identify challenges, themes are discussed according to their motivational aspects and the challenges they represent for adolescents' PA involvement. The research has implications for health promotion endeavours directed toward parents of children and adolescents. Given the limitations of a qualitative study, readers are invited to apply the conclusions to their own context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montréal, CANADA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gavin
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montréal, CANADA.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McBrearty
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montréal, CANADA.
authors.forename: Kit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montréal, CANADA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abravanel
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montréal, CANADA.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moudrakovski
keywords: Thematic analysis; parental influence; peer influence; reciprocal determinism