Date of Award

August 2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Educational Psychology

First Advisor

Shannon Chavez-Korell

Committee Members

Azara Santiago-Rivera, Cindy Walker, Katie Mosack, Anthony Hains

Keywords

Acculturation, South Asian Americans, Sports, Value of Sport

Abstract

Asian Americans, one of the fastest growing communities in recent decades (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008) continue to be underrepresented in sports in the United States. Recent trends in sport participation suggest that while other ethnic/racial minority groups are increasing their presence in sports, Asian Americans may not be increasing at a similar rate (Lapchick, 2008). For example, in collegiate athletics, only .005% of Asian Americans enrolled in college were also engaged in a sport, and in professional sports, only 1-2% of all players in major professional organizations identify as Asian American (Lapchick, 2008). Although statistics continuously reveal this trend, research is severely limited in examining the factors that contribute to Asian American sport participation to understand why such underrepresentation exists. Researchers have found that significant differences exist between sport participation rates, patterns, and preferences among ethnic/racial minority groups, but research is severely limited in looking at the specific factors that contribute to Asian American sport participation. Understanding factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of Asian American sport participation can add valuable information regarding the sport participation decision-making of Asian Americans. Additionally, this knowledge can offer more culturally appropriate strategies to improve efforts in increasing sport participation rates among Asian Americans. This study utilizes the Expectancy-Value Theory of Achievement Motivation model proposed by Wigfield and Eccles (1983, 2000) to examine the factors that could contribute to sport participation among South Asian Americans, a particular subgroup of Asian Americans. Specifically, this study investigates the influence of a few cultural and contextual factors on sport participation. Specifically, the acculturation, parental influence, and value of sport were evaluated with parent-child dyads. A total of three variables in their relationship with sport participation were examined: Parent Acculturation, Parent Achievement Value of Sport, and Child Achievement Value of Sport. A total of 128 parent-child dyads participated in this study. Mediation analyses examined if parent achievement value of sport and child achievement value of sport mediated the relationship between parent acculturation and child sport participation. Parent acculturation was found to significantly predict parent achievement value of sport, parent achievement value of sport was found to significantly predict child achievement value of sport, and child achievement value of sport was found to significantly predict child sport participation. However, parent achievement value of sport and child achievement value of sport was found to not be mediators between parent acculturation and child sport participation. Findings from this study highlight the importance of continuing to examine cultural and contextual factors that impact sport participation among South Asian Americans.

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