Development and pilot of a survey to build capacity for examining interactions of constraints to sport participation among adolescent girls

Abstract

Sport participation (SP) declines among girls during adolescence, and though many constraints to SP have been identified, it is not known whether or how they interact. The purpose of this thesis was to develop a survey which collects data on constraints to SP, and pilot it on adolescent girls residing in Durham Region, Ontario. A comprehensive list of constraints was generated from the literature. The research was guided by Newell’s model of constraints (individual, environmental and task), and the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). An online survey was developed and validated via an expert panel. The survey was piloted on a sample of adolescent girls (n=97, mean age= 15.5 years). Survey data revealed good reliability (Cronbach’s α=0.897). Recommendations for larger scale implementations are discussed in terms of refining a sampling strategy, resolving issues with survey administration, and refining analytical techniques.