Aggressiveness from the perspective of young athletes, their families and coaches

The aim of this research is to understand the perception of aggressiveness from the perspective of young athletes, their families and coaches. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to collect qualitative data from fourteen participants, six young soccer athletes, six family members and two coaches. Thematic analysis was adopted as the data analysis method. Four main themes were identified from the thematic analysis: events in the stands, perspective of mothers and coaches, factors linked to aggressiveness and conceptions about aggressiveness. Based on the analysis of the themes generated from the interviews, it was possible to assume that the interviewees had prior notions regarding the difference between hostile and instrumental aggression, with the majority of them expressing an aversion to hostility. In no interview did the participants indicate teammates as influential factors in their aggressiveness, while family members were highlighted in the interviews as the agents that most influence the hostile behaviors of young athletes.