Parental Support as a Mediator of Social Factors in Sports Achievement Motivation: Insights from All Pakistan Inter-Varsity Competitions

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of parental support in the relationship between social factors and sports achievement motivation among athletes participating in the All Pakistan Inter-Varsity Sports Competitions. A sample of 760 athletes, comprising 483 males and 277 females, was surveyed using self-constructed questionnaires for social factors, Dr. M.L. Kamlesh's (1990) sports achievement motivation measure, and Davison, Cutting, and Birch's (2003) parental support questionnaire. The findings reveal that parental support significantly mediates the influence of social factors on sports achievement motivation, highlighting the crucial role of family support in enhancing athletes' motivation and performance. Practical implications for coaches, parents, educators, policymakers, athletic associations, and athletes are discussed, emphasizing the importance of fostering supportive environments in youth sports.