Developing Multiple Intelligence Indices through Sports in University’s student-athletes: Examining Parental Support

Abstract

This study examined the role of parental support in the development of multiple intelligence components of student-athletes at universities level. A sample of n=419 (males=294; females=125) completed Sport-Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and Multiple Intelligence Questionnaire (MIQ). A descriptive survey research design facilitated the current study. Collected data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequency and percentage were used to describe the gender based details of the participants, while correlation, regression, and t-Test were applied for testing of hypotheses. The analyzed data indicated that both parental support and multiple intelligence components developed through sports significantly associated with each other (r=.883**). These findings have been confirmed by regression analysis, and the analyzed inferences reported positive influence of parental support on developing multiple intelligence components in universities’ student-athletes (p < .05). When comparing the gender-based differences, the analyzed data revealed no statistically significant difference between male and female student-athletes on parental support and multiple intelligence components. Based on the findings, it has been concluded that parents have significant role in developing multiple intelligence competencies of their children through sports participation.