Sport participation and socially vulnerable youth (2015)

The aim of this study is twofold. First, the aim is to contribute to knowledge on the relation between sport participation, physical self-concept, global self-esteem and sense of coherence of socially vulnerable youth. Second, the aim is to contribute to knowledge on what factors are related to sport participation of youth at youth care organisations. The relation between sport participation, physical self-concept, global self-esteem and sense of coherence of socially vulnerable youth was examined by questionnaires. In total, 19 youngsters at youth care organisations aged 12 till 18 filled in the questionnaires. The exploration of factors that were related to sport participation of socially vulnerable youth was performed via 12 in-depth interviews with sport coaches, employees and youth of youth care organisations. Findings of the questionnaires were that a significant relation between sport participation, physical self-concept, global self-esteem and sense of coherence was absent. However, sport enjoyment was significantly related to six components of physical self-concept. Findings of the interviews indicate that that participation culture and enjoyment of sport were related to sport participation of youth at youth care organisations. The findings of the questionnaires and interviews indicate that enjoyment of sport participation can be important in relation to youth development and sport participation.