SEEING THE COURT: INVESTIGATING OUTCOMES, PROCESSES AND PERSPECTIVES IN BASKETBALL AS A POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT A Dissertation by CHRISTOPHER JAMES HARRIST Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2009 Major Subject: Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences SEEING THE COURT: INVESTIGATING OUTCOMES, PROCESSES AND PERSPECTIVES IN BASKETBALL AS A POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT A Dissertation Proposal by CHRISTOPHER JAMES HARRIST Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Chair of Committee, Peter A. Witt Committee Members, Corliss Outley David Scott Michael Ash Head of Department, Gary Ellis December 2009 Major Subject: Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences iii ABSTRACT Seeing the Court: Investigating Outcomes, Processes, and Perspectives in Basketball as a Positive Youth Development Context. (December 2009) Christopher James Harrist, B.S., Tarleton State University; M.S., Tarleton State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Peter A. Witt Researchers have found that 40 to 50 percent of youth’s time can be classified as free or residual, which yields great opportunities for their participation in leisure and recreation activities. When all structured voluntary activities available to youth are considered, the greatest amount of time is spent participating in youth sports. Organized sports participation has been associated with positive developmental outcomes (e.g., healthier lifestyle; increases in self-efficacy; enhanced academic achievement); however, not all experiences are positive. Research has found that the context of the activity contributes significantly to participation being associated with positive or negative outcomes. Understanding important contextual elements related to sports participation, particularly as viewed by key stakeholders (e.g., coaches and players), is important in developing quality experiences that promote beneficial growth. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of youth basketball as a positive developmental context. More specifically, it examined: (1) the outcomes associated with participation as identified by coaches of youth sport select teams; (2) the iv methods used by coaches to promote positive development; (3) the perceptions of the players related to coaching intentions and behaviors; and (4) the fidelity with which coaches carry out their identified coaching methods in practices and games. Findings indicated that coaches and players were able to accurately identify desired goals and methodologies along three domains: (1) player improvement; (2) development of life skills; and (3) enjoying the playing experience. One outcome theme showing inconsistency across the respondent groups was the identification of enjoying the playing experience, which was not identified by the player group. This inconsistency, however, did not show up when the respondents were identifying methodological approaches. Further analysis of sub-themes indicated considerable variation between coach and player responses. In addition, data obtained through observation corroborated the major thematic findings; however, when discrepancies existed the data revealed closer association to player responses. Player's also offered insight regarding personal goals and positive developmental outcomes they attributed to participation. Observational data also confirmed a portion of coach and player identified methodologies, but new approaches were also discovered. v DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my little sister, Rachel; though you have left us in body, your spirit will be ever present. You were truly a R.O.C.K. Your boundless enthusiasm, relentless work ethic, and desire to positively affect the lives of so many individuals is a source of true inspiration. Rest assured your work is still on going. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, and foremost, I would like to thank my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is only through Your sacrifice that I have come this far. Thank you for placing people in my life that have been so influential in my walk. I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to my doctoral committee chair and advisor, Dr. Peter Witt, for his thoughtful encouragement, unsurpassed dedication, and unfailing patience throughout this process. I would like to thank Dr. Witt for the extraordinary effort he put forth in making it possible for me to finish within the time needed. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Witt for the opportunity to make a career out of my passion at Texas A&M. I would also like to offer my utmost appreciation for the thoughtful feedback, effort, and understanding of the additional members of my committee – Dr. Corliss Outley, Dr. David Scott, and Dr. Mike Ash. I feel extremely blessed to have had such a respected and distinguished committee guide me through this process with their unique perspectives and extensive knowledge. Thanks also go out to my friends and colleagues within the RPTS Department, especially those in the Youth Development group. Their willingness to share insights and valued friendships made my time at Texas A&M a fantastic experience. I was also very fortunate to have such a willing group of participants in this study. Thanks to all the coaches, players, and parents for being so open and for making vii me feel part of the “family” during the research process. I hope you folks benefit as much from this study as I did. You are an amazing group of people. Lastly, to the most important people in my life, I want to thank my family for their support, patience, encouragement, and, above all else, their love. Jennifer has every right to be second author on this dissertation for her tremendous support and optimism. Thank you for your sacrifices in realizing this dream and for always reminding me that there is a divine purpose in all this. Also, I could not have had a bigger supporter in this process than Christopher. Thank you for understanding when daddy had to work on his “big paper” and for being such a blessing. Thank you, Aiden, for your timing during this process and waiting until we made the cross-country trek before making your grand entrance. I could not have been placed in charge of a better family. To my mom, Dr. Diane Taylor-Revere, thank you for the example you set and for being everything I needed in a mother and more. You are an amazing woman. And to my grandmother, Pat Gilley, thank you for being the matriarch of our family. Without your steady hand and unconditional love the picture we see today would appear much different. viii NOMENCLATURE CBAS Coaching Behavior Assessment System CES Coach Efficacy Scale GOAL Going for the Goal OST Out-of-School Time P-E Person-Environment SOPS Supports, Opportunities, Programs, Services SUPER Sports United to Promote Education and Recreation YMCA Young Men’s Christian Association ix TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER Page I INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 1 Introduction .................................................................................... 1 Organized Sports as Contexts for Youth Development ................. 2 Research Focus............................................................................... 7 Importance of the Study ................................................................. 8 II LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................... 11 Introduction .................................................................................... 11 About the Coach............................................................................. 14 Mentoring Youth............................................................................ 16 Recreation Among Adolescent Girls.............................................. 18 Methods of Learning and Coaching Effectiveness Training.......... 19 Coaching Efficacy and Self-Reported Study ................................. 23 What Is Youth Voice? .................................................................... 26 Benefits of Youth Voice................................................................. 27 Youth Voice Studies....................................................................... 28 Empowerment and Youth-Adult Partnerships ............................... 30 Person-Environment Fit ................................................................. 32 Youth Engagement and Enduring Involvement............................. 34 Summary ........................................................................................ 37 III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY......................................................... 39 Introduction .................................................................................... 39 Qualitative Research ...................................................................... 39 Selection of Participants................................................................. 40 Data Collection............................................................................... 43 Rapport and Responsibility ............................................................ 47 Data Analysis ................................................................................. 49 Trustworthiness and Validity ......................................................... 50 Researcher Role.............................................................................