The effect of parental residential school attendance and parental involvement on Indigenous youth’s participation in sport and physical activity during school

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of parental residential school attendance on youth's participation in sport and physical activity (S/PA) at school and to explore the potential role that parental education and parental involvement in school activities may play in mediating this relationship. Methods: This cross-sectional study used the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey and included youth ages 12-17 (N=4,840). Structural equation modeling techniques were used for models with observed and latent variables. Sampling weights and bootstrap weights were used for all analyses. Results: The results indicate 62.87% of youth participated in S/PA; 27.54% at school; 31.52% outside of school, and 40.94% in school and outside school. Mothers who attended residential schools had lower levels of educational attainment. Maternal education had a positive effect on parental involvement in school activities in dual parent households and parental involvement had a positive effect on S/PA. The indirect effects of residential school attendance on parental involvement and participation in S/PA were significant only for youth living with both parents and only for the effect of maternal residential school attendance. Maternal residential school attendance had a negative effect on parental involvement and on participation in S/PA. Discussion: The findings from this study indicate that interpersonal factors and historical contexts shape Indigenous youth's participation in S/PA.