Development of the stressors among parents in youth sport survey (SPYSS)

Tamminen, Katherine A.; Bonk, Devin; Eckardt, Valeria C.; Sutherland, Sara; McEwen, Carolyn

Abstract

Objectives Parents of youth sport athletes report a variety of stressors associated with their child’s participation in youth sport settings. However, research examining associations between parents’ stressors and relevant outcomes is limited due to the lack of a comprehensive and validated measure of parents’ stressors in youth sport. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to develop and provide preliminary validation of the Stressors among Parents in Youth Sport Survey (SPYSS). Method In Study 1 we developed an initial version of the survey and tested the factor structure of the scale using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with a sample of 1187 Canadian parents of minor hockey athletes. In Study 2, we administered the SPYSS to an independent sample of 783 parents with children participating in multiple sports, who also completed measures of parent stress and well-being, as well as parent-athlete outcomes, to establish convergent and divergent validity evidence and test associations with relevant outcomes for youth sport parents. Results The results from Study 1 supported the development of a 42-item survey of parental stressors in youth sport. Results from Study 2 provided further evidence for the factor structure and validity evidence of a measure assessing parental stressors in youth sport. Conclusions ​​​​​​​The SPYSS assesses the frequency and intensity of a variety of stressors relevant for parents of youth sport athletes. The measure may be a useful tool for researchers, sport organizations, and practitioners to assess, monitor, and target the stressors experienced by parents in youth sport settings.