Session Title: (11) Examining Attitudes Toward Sporting Behaviors in a Youth Recreational Basketball League

Session Type: Research Education 1-Hour Talk Talk
Topic(s): Programming, Research (NRPA Research Sessions/”NRS”)
Sports, Youth

Day/Time: Thursday - Block 8
10/12/2023 12:30 PM (Central Time (US & Canada)) - 10/12/2023 01:30 PM (Central Time (US & Canada))

Room: Room D167 (Clinics)

Audience Experience Level: Any level
Audience Familiarity with DEI: Any Level
CEU: 0.1

Description:
Poor sporting behavior has been a topic of significant interest to both scholars and practitioners. However, what constitutes poor behavior is not universally agreed upon. The purpose of this study was to examine perceived acceptable behaviors in a recreational youth basketball program. A panel of experts identified 11 questionable behaviors, (i.e. behaviors in which there is potential disagreement over the acceptability of the behavior). Parents of participants in a youth basketball league (n=954) rated how acceptable they believed each of the actions were. Results indicate significant differences between genders on 5 of 11 items. Moderate correlations suggest that the more of an NBA fan someone is, the more likely they are to indicate a questionable behavior is acceptable. Understanding different attitudes can help recreation providers better address specific behaviors. This work also further advances our understanding of positive and negative sporting behavior.

Learning Objectives:
1. After attending this session, attendees should be able to compare the varying perceptions of acceptable behavior of parents at youth sports programs based on gender and level of fandom.
2. After attending this session, attendees should be able to describe the different attitudes and behaviors of parents within sporting environments.
3. After attending this session, attendees should be able to create a program that addresses questionable sporting behaviors.

Speaker(s):

Kailei Foltmer
Eric Legg