Author(s): ANDRONIKOS, G., FOUNTAIN, H., ENGLISH, C., MARTINDALE, R., DUGDALE, J., FERRIER, S. , Institution: EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY, Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 966

Parents play a critical role in the development of talented athletes; however, the challenges parents face and the support they require remain unclear. This study examined the challenges experienced by parents of high-performance youth athletes in Scotland and the necessary support mechanisms to assist them in fulfilling their roles as parents effectively. Four hundred and eighty-five parents completed a questionnaire consisting of a combination of ranking and open-ended questions related to the challenges they faced and perceived support required for the parents to be able to effectively support their children. Parents identified four primary challenges: managing athletes psychological well-being (35.5%), providing tangible support (29.3%), balancing sport, school, and life (20.0%), and managing athlete development experiences (15.3%). Key areas of support identified include parent-athlete communication (24%), health, nutrition, and injuries guidance (24%), balancing responsibilities (24%), administrative assistance (22%), and promoting healthy interactions with coaches (20%). These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of parenting within high-performance youth sports and propose practical implications to better support parents of high-performance youth athletes. These include educational workshops, psychological skills development programmes, and provision of logistical resources related to financial challenges or traveling times.