Parents and athletes relationship: “I’m the biggest cheerleader!”

O desporto constitui um espaço de desenvolvimento social e emocional, onde os pais desempenham um papel determinante no bem-estar e motivação dos jovens atletas. O presente artigo analisa os efeitos do comportamento parental no contexto desportivo, apresentando o Modelo da Eficácia da Comunicação como referencial para compreender e promover interações eficazes entre pais e filhos-atletas. Neste modelo propõe-se que perfis comunicacionais positivos potenciam a confiança e o prazer pela prática desportiva, enquanto perfis comunicacionais negativos geram ansiedade e afastamento. O artigo propõe ainda orientações práticas para uma comunicação parental equilibrada, centrada na compreensão, na escuta ativa e no reforço do esforço. Conclui-se que a qualidade da comunicação parental é decisiva para transformar o desporto num espaço de crescimento mútuo, onde pais e filhos aprendem, através da experiência, o verdadeiro significado de crescer juntos.
Sport represents a social and emotional learning environment in which parents play a crucial role in shaping young athletes’ motivation and well-being. This paper examines the effects of parental behavior in sport and introduces the Communication Efficacy Model as a framework for understanding and enhancing parent–athlete interactions. In this model, it is proposed that positive communication profiles enhance confidence and enjoyment in sports, while negative communication profiles generate anxiety and lack of engagement. Practical recommendations are offered to promote balanced and intentional communication based on listening, emotional regulation, and reinforcement of effort rather than outcomes. Overall, effective parental communication emerges as a key factor in turning sport into a shared process of growth, where both parents and children learn what it truly means to grow together.
This study was conducted at two research centres: the Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi/UM), School of Psychology, University of Minho, and was financially supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, through national funds (UIDB/01662/2020) and the Centre for Research on Human Development (CEDH) at the Portuguese Catholic University, with financial support from the Foundation for Science and Technology, through national funds (UIDB/04872/2020)