The influence of low perceived soccer and social competence on later dropout from soccer: a prospective study of young boys

The main purpose of this prospective investigation was to examine the relationship of low perceived soccer and social competence with later dropout from soccer. Included in the analysis of these relationships was also the potential mediating influence of negative affect. A total of 223 12‐ to 16‐year‐old boys who played soccer in an organized league in Oslo were studied. The players were personally interviewed twice with an interval of 16 months. Results among the older players showed that low perceived soccer competence and low perceived peer popularity negatively influenced soccer persistence. Furthermore, in these relationship, low soccer enjoyment was a significant mediating factor. Findings obtained among the younger players demonstrated a direct negative effect of a low sense of interpersonal attraction and belongingness on soccer persistence. Whereas perceived soccer comptence was more influential than perceived social competence for persistence in soccer among the older players (14–16 years old), the opposite held for the younger group (12–13 years old). The results are generally consistent with the hypothesis that competence perception influences young people's affective state in achievement‐oriented activities which, in turn, influences their subsequent involvement in such activities.