Sport, relationship with parents, deviant behaviors and victimization in European adolescents: the results of the International Self-report Delinquency Study 3 (ISRD 3).

• In Event: Youth Delinquency: Correlates and Trends

Abstract

Background. Sport is commonly considered a socialization activity that can help young people avoid deviant behavior.
The study is aimed at deepening the knowledge of the sport as a risk or protective factor concerning deviance and victimization in adolescence.
Method. The study analyzes the European data collected by a questionnaire “ISRD-3”, administered to a sample of 54273 young students from 7th to 9th grade. Specifically, the authors analyze the relationship among the answers about the relationship with parents, self-reported delinquency behaviors, and victimization, concerning playing sports or not.
Results. Students who play sports have a good relationship with their parents and feel supported by them, and when they disappoint them feel very bad. Playing sports is a protective factor compared to shoplifting, burglary, bicycle theft, motorbike/car theft, extortion, robbery, group fights, and drug dealing. Regarding the use of alcohol or drugs, the sport appears to be a protective factor concerning the use of soft and hard drugs. As far as victimization is concerned, those who practice sports appear to be victims of theft, extortion, discrimination, cyberbullying, and domestic violence to a lesser extent than those who do not practice any sport.
Conclusions. It can observe how practicing sports is a protective factor for most of the variables taken into consideration. Therefore, it is important to carry out awareness-raising interventions on the sport involving families, schools, and the community.

Authors

• Barbara Moretti, DAP

• Regina Rensi, Department of Health Sciences

• Emanuela Pescatore, Ordine degli Avvocati di Firenze

• Barbara Gualco, University of Florence