Many studies address the influences of parenting and contextual factors on child development (Belsky, 1984). Although long-term contextual factors such as poverty and abuse have been shown to be associated with both parent and child behaviors (La Placa & Corlyon, 2016; Salzinger et al, 2002), little research exists on the degree to which short-term situational contexts may affect child behavior. The goal of this study is to identify the influence of parenting behavior on child response after a competitive motocross race. Survey data was collected from 33 parents at several child/adolescent competitions held at a motocross track. First, results indicated that hostility exhibited by the trackside parent, or the parent that spends the most time with their child trackside, at a motocross race was positively related to their child crying after a competition. Additionally, achievement orientation and family cohesion were both positively related to having a child celebrate after the race. Results also show that some situational factors have an influence on child behavior over and above the influence of the family environment factors. Specifically, trackside parent hostility significantly predicts crying after a race. This work informs the literature on the degree to which short-term situational contexts may affect child behavior, as well as provides insight into parent-child relationships within the context of motocross.
