Adolescents' Self-Esteem and Goal Orientation in Relation to Maternal Participation in Sports

Note: This study is currently only available in Greek

by Anastasia Fokianou

The thesis was supervised by a three-member committee consisting of Aikaterini Lampropoulou, Chrysi Chatzichristou, and Diamanto Filippатou, and was completed in Athens in February 2024.

This study investigates how mothers’ participation in sports correlates with their children’s self-esteem and goal orientation during adolescence—a developmental stage where identity, motivation, and well-being are dynamically formed. Drawing on motivational theories and developmental psychology, the research explores whether maternal engagement in physical activities fosters mastery-oriented goals and boosts adolescents’ subjective well-being. Conducted with 138 middle school students aged 13–15, this quantitative study uses validated instruments (PALS and Bern Well-Being Questionnaire) to assess goal orientations—learning, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance—and their links to maternal athletic involvement. The findings underscore the role of mothers not only as caregivers but also as behavioral models who influence psychological outcomes such as life satisfaction, resilience, and positive goal pursuit. This research contributes to the growing discourse on family systems, adolescent mental health, and the psychosocial value of sport-based parental modeling.

The Influence of Maternal Sports Participation on Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and Goal Orientation

Introduction

Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by increased self-awareness, identity formation, and psychosocial vulnerability. During this phase, the presence of positive role models, particularly parents, becomes increasingly significant. Parental modeling through lifestyle behaviors—including sports participation—may shape adolescents' goal orientations and psychological well-being. This study investigates how maternal engagement in athletic activities impacts adolescents’ self-esteem and motivational goals, focusing on students aged 13–15.

Methodology

The research employed a quantitative design using two psychometrically validated instruments. The Personal Achievement Goal Orientations Questionnaire (PALS) was used to evaluate adolescents' orientations toward mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance goals (Midgley et al., 2000; Gonida & Leontari, 2012). Subjective well-being, including life satisfaction and self-esteem, was measured through the Bern Questionnaire (Grob et al., 1991). A total of 138 students from public schools in Athens and Patras participated. Additional demographic information, including parental athletic activity, was collected to examine correlations.

Key Findings

Statistical analysis revealed robust associations between maternal sports participation and adolescent psychological outcomes:

1. Lower performance-avoidance orientation: Adolescents whose mothers participated in sports exhibited significantly lower tendencies toward avoidance of failure—an orientation linked with anxiety, low motivation, and self-criticism (Senko & Dawson, 2017).
2. Higher self-esteem and life satisfaction: Maternal physical activity positively correlated with increased adolescent self-esteem, consistent with prior findings on the psychological benefits of sport-related social modeling (Paluska & Schwenk, 2000; Parfitt & Eston, 2005).
3. Enhanced mastery orientation: Students with active mothers demonstrated a greater focus on learning and personal improvement rather than outcome-based success, reinforcing the significance of autonomy-supportive environments (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

These findings align with Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1986), suggesting that children internalize behaviors and attitudes through observation and imitation of parental models. Mothers who engage in team sports particularly appear to enhance adolescents' resilience and constructive goal-setting, potentially due to the cooperative, socially engaging context of such activities.

Discussion

The implications of maternal engagement in sports extend beyond physical health. The modeling of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance provides adolescents with tangible templates for approaching challenges. Literature supports that adolescents with positive goal orientations (i.e., mastery or performance-approach) tend to show better academic performance, reduced burnout, and greater well-being (Tuominen-Soini et al., 2012).

Conversely, performance-avoidance orientation, often arising from high parental expectations or lack of support, is associated with increased psychological distress (Kaplan et al., 2002). The study reinforces that maternal inactivity may exacerbate sedentary behavior in adolescents, indirectly leading to body image dissatisfaction, social withdrawal, and elevated anxiety (Landry & Solmon, 2002; Merkel, 2013).

School Transitions and Parental Buffering

The transition from middle to high school, marked by academic pressure and changing peer dynamics, is a known stressor in adolescence (Boak et al., 2020). The current findings highlight that supportive maternal behavior—especially consistent participation in sports—can buffer adolescents against these stressors, acting as a protective factor during educational and emotional transitions.

Psychosocial Mechanisms

Self-Determination Theory provides a robust framework to interpret these results. When adolescents perceive their environment as autonomy-supportive and competence-enhancing, they internalize goals and demonstrate greater psychological health (Vallerand, 2007). Mothers who maintain active lifestyles likely promote such environments through their own engagement with structured activities.

Recommendations for Practice

• Parental involvement programs: Schools should encourage initiatives that involve parents, particularly mothers, in school-based or community sports.
• Policy implications: Family health and education policies could incorporate parental physical activity as a component of holistic child development.
• Targeted interventions: Adolescents exhibiting performance-avoidance patterns may benefit from mentoring by active adults or participation in parent-child sport programs.

Limitations and Future Research

The study's cross-sectional nature restricts causal interpretations. Longitudinal studies are needed to trace developmental trajectories. Additionally, further research could explore paternal roles and socioeconomic influences on sports participation and adolescent mental health.

Conclusion

This study provides empirical evidence supporting the influential role of maternal sports participation in adolescents’ motivational orientations and self-esteem. Active maternal behavior not only promotes physical well-being but also nurtures cognitive-emotional resilience in adolescents. Encouraging maternal involvement in sports can thus serve as a strategic approach to enhancing youth development—academically, socially, and psychologically.