Development and Validation of Parental Support Scale of Children’s Sports Training in China: Socio-Ecological Approach

The relationship between socioeconomic status and organized sports participation among Chinese children and adolescents: the chain-mediated role of parental physical exercise and parental support

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between socioeconomic status and organized sports participation among children and adolescents, and to reveal the mediating role of parental physical exercise and parental support between socioeconomic status and participation in organized sports.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 1512 parents of children and adolescents in Shanghai was conducted via the socioeconomic status scale, physical activity rating scale, and parental support for children's sports training scale. Structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and mediating effects.

RESULTS

(1) The direct effect of socioeconomic status on organized sports participation was significant (β = 0.184, P < 0.001) (2). The simple mediating effect of parental support was significant (β = 0.051; 95% CI [0.030, 0.079]), accounting for 16.56% of the total effect. The chained mediating effect of parental physical exercise and parental support was significant (β = 0.056, 95% CI [0.034, 0.084]), accounting for 18.18% of the total effect (3). The hypothesized paths did not differ significantly in multigroup structural equation modeling of different genders among children and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic status not only directly influences organized sports participation among children and adolescents but also indirectly influences organized sports participation through parental physical exercise and parental support. This study posits that reducing socioeconomic status disparities in organized sports participation among children and adolescents requires not only a focus on children and adolescents of lower socioeconomic status but also increased parental physical exercise and parental support.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument: evidence from mainland China

Regarding the assessment of family functioning in Chinese people, there are several research gaps. First, although there are some instruments in the field, there are very few validated instruments. Second, while some translated measures have been developed, there are very few assessment tools based on indigenous Chinese concepts. Third, compared to Hong Kong, research on family assessment is relatively inactive in mainland China. Fourth, there are very few family assessment tools to assess perceived family functioning in older children and early adolescents. Fifth, few studies used large samples to validate family assessment tools. Sixth, researchers seldom utilized longitudinal data to examine the psychometric properties of family assessment tools. Finally, few studies have examined factorial validity across samples and time to demonstrate the stability of Chinese family assessment measures. In Hong Kong, based on focus group data (i.e., indigenous concepts of family functioning) and an integration with the family science literature, we have developed the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument (C-FAI) to assess perceived family functioning according to the perception of adolescents. Results showed that the C-FAI possessed good reliability and validity. Specifically, five dimensions of the measure (mutuality, communication, conflict, parental concern and parental control) were supported via exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity and reliability of the C-FAI were illustrated. To understand the psychometric properties of the C-FAI in mainland China, we collected three waves of data from students in the period of preadolescence and early adolescence in mainland China (N = 3,732). Based on the data, we examined the psychometric properties of the measure, particularly factor invariance in different samples and at different times. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the five dimensions in C-FAI, including factorial invariance in terms of configuration, factor loading, intercepts, and over time. There was evidence for convergent validity and discriminant validity of the measure. Finally, reliability analyses showed that the total C-FAI scale and its subscales are internally consistent. The present findings suggest that family researchers and practitioners can use the C-FAI to objectively assess perceived family functioning in preadolescence and early adolescence in different Chinese communities.

Effects of Age and Popularity of Sport on Differences among Wrestlers' Parental Support: An Exploratory Study

No research was previously performed on wrestling related to parental support. It is not known whether there are differences in support between younger and older children. The popularity of a sport can be reflected in parental support, and parents may be more inclined towards popular sports. The aim of this research was to examine differences in parental support among wrestlers of different age categories and between those coming from communities in which wrestling is a popular sport versus communities in which it is less popular. The sample of participants consisted of 172 wrestlers. The Parental Support Scale for Children in Sports was applied. Parental willingness to set an example was lower. As far as age is concerned, the period of entry into specialisation is sensitive. At this age, children perceive less parental support (p = 0.04) and lower parental belief in the benefits of sports (p = 0.01). The popularity of the sport is related to parental support. In environments in which wrestling is popular, parents know the sport better and can participate; therefore, children perceive more parental support. The findings of this study may help coaches to better understand athlete-parent relationships.