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Abstract

An emerging issue in medical research concerns the impact of psychosocial factors on sport and recreational involvement. To identify the values sport par ticipants place on their involvement largely answers the question of the expec tations they have of sport as a sociological institution - a vital issue in preser ving the health and fitness of the community. The present study (utilizing sur vey and interview procedures) was designed within this theme to identify the values adolescents (N=260) place on their involvement (or non-involvement) in sport and to determine the degree to which these values are transmitted from parents and the family's socio-economic background. Five central value clusters were identified (from statistical analysis of over 750 statements) which varies syste matically according to age, sex and social class background: expressive, affilia tive, moral, achievement and competence. The study identified clear but impor tant trends which explained adolescent values placed on the "affiliative" and "competence" components, but not the "achievement" component, the central va lue prevailing in contemporary sport. This conflict of values was interpreted as explaining current adolescent disinterest in sport involvement. Recommendations are suggested for enchancing the relevance of sport and physical activity for adolescents.

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Adolescent Values in Sport: A Case of Conflicting Interests

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