Travis Dorsch

Human Devt. and Family Studies

Graduate Program Director, Associate Professor


Travis Dorsch

Contact Information

Office Location: FL 111
Phone: 435-797-4565
Email: travis.dorsch@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Kinesiology, (Psychology of Sport and Exercise), Purdue University, 2013
Parent Sport Socialization, Goals and Verbal Sideline Behavior, and Support and Pressure in Organized Youth Sport
MS, Kinesiology, (Psychology of Sport and Exercise), Purdue University, 2007
Parents’ Experiences of Child-To-Parent Socialization in Youth Sport
BA, Psychology, Purdue University, 2003
Other, Bozeman High School, 1998

Biography

Dr. Travis Dorschis an Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Families in Sport Lab in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Utah State University.

Teaching Interests

Dr. Dorsch teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in human development, parenting, research methods, motivation, and sport psychology.

Research Interests

Dr. Dorsch’s research targets the persons (i.e., parents, siblings, peers, and coaches) and contexts (i.e., organizations, communities, and societies) that have the potential to influence or be influenced by athletes’ behaviors, attitudes, experiences, and outcomes in youth sport. His research has been funded by multiple national organizations, including the NCAA, the Aspen Institute, and TeamSnap. Dr. Dorsch has authored more than 50 articles, book chapters, and technical reports and has contributed to more than 100 presentations for local, state, regional, national, and international audiences. His research findings have been highlighted in outlets such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and TIME Magazine and are used by sport governing bodies within the U.S. Olympic movement, recreational and elite youth sport organizations, and sport coaches and parents to construct more developmentally appropriate sport contexts and to evaluate the role of youth sport in contemporary society.

Awards

Graduate Mentor of the Year, 2022

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Most Downloaded Paper of the Year, 2022

Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance

Graduate Mentor of the Year, 2021

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Research Fellow , 2021

U.S Center for Metal Health & Sport

Early Career Distinguished Scholar, 2020

North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity

Faculty Researcher of the Year, 2018

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Undergraduate Mentor of the Year, 2018

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Best Family Economics Paper of the Year , 2017

National Council on Family Relations

Paper of the Year, Runner-up , 2017

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year, 2015

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services


    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Dorsch, T.E, (2020). Sport parent education: Comprehensive applied sport psychology. Routledge
  • Dorsch, T., Utilizing systems theory to frame interventions with athletes across the developmental spectrum: The Routledge handbook of clinical sport psychology. Routledge
  • Dorsch, T.E, Parent involvement in youth sport: Developmental considerations regarding children, adolescents, and emerging adults: The power of groups in youth sport. Routledge
  • Dorsch, T., (2017). Coach, team, and parent assessment: Assessment in sport psychology consulting. Human Kinetics
  • Dorsch, T., (2017). Optimising family involvement in youth sport: Sport psychology for young athletes . Routledge
  • Smith, A., Dorsch, T., Monsma, E., (2012). Developmentally informed measurement in sport and exercise psychology: Measurement in sport and exercise psychology. Measurement in Sport and Exercise Psychology

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Curriculum

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Journal Articles

    Academic Journal

    • Alexander, K., Adams, K., Dorsch, T., (2023). Exploring the impact of coaches’ emotional abuse on intercollegiate student-athletes’ experiences. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.
    • Fleming, D., Dorsch, T., Hardiman, A., Blazo, J., Farrey, T., Brown Lerner, J., Solomon, J., (2023). The association of families’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics with parents’ perceived barriers to returning to youth sport following the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology of Sport and Exercise
    • Fleming, D., Dorsch, T., Dayley, J., (2023). The mediating role of parental warmth on the association of parent pressure and athlete perfectionism in adolescent soccer. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
    • Kaye, M., Lowe, K., Dorsch, T., (2023). Informant variance in perceptions of student-athlete/parent relationship qualities. . Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education
    • Edwards, , Bocarro, , Bunds, , Bush, , Casper, , Dorsch, T., Chalip, , Kanters, , Kanters, , (2022). Parental perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 and returning to play based on level of sport. Sport in Society, 25:7, 1273-1290.
    • Dorsch, T., Fleming, D., Hardiman, A., (2022). Parents want kids to succeed in in sports, and communication is key. Frontiers in Young Minds
    • Eckardt, V., Dorsch, T., Lobinger, , (2022). Parents' Competitive Stressors in Professional German Youth Soccer Academies: A Mixed-Method Study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 58
    • Dorsch, T., Blazo, J.A, Coakley, J., Côté, J., Wagstaff, C., Warner, S., King, M.Q, Smith, A.L, (2022). Toward an integrated understanding of the youth sport system. Research Quarterly in Exercise and Sport, 93:1, 105-119.
    • Hansen, J.A, Dorsch, T.E, Studenka, B., (2021). NCAA student athletes' valuation of experienced symptoms: A missing link between concussion symptomology and reporting behavior. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 14, 411-440.
    • Dorsch, T., Wright, E., Exckardt, V., Thrower, S., Elliott, S., Knight, C., (2021). A not-so-brief history of research on parent involvement in organized youth sport. Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
    • Dorsch, T., Blazo, J., Arthur-Banning, S., Anderson-Butcher, D., Jayanthi, N., Hardiman, A., Farrey, T., Solomon, J., Brown Lerner, J., (2021). National trends in American youth sport during the COVID-19 pandemic: Understanding parents’ perceptions and perspectives. Journal of Sport Behavior
    • Hansen, J., Dorsch, T., Studenka, B., (2021). NCAA student athletes' valuation of experienced symptoms: A missing link between concussion symptomology and reporting behavior? . Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Edwards, , Boccarro, J., Bunds, K., Casper, J., Dorsch, T., Chalip, L., Kanters, D., Kanters, M., (2021). Parental perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 and returning to play based on level of sport. Sport in Society
    • Eckardt, V., Dorsch, T., Lobinger, B., (2021). Parents' Competitive Stressors in Professional German Youth Soccer Academies: A Mixed-Method Study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise
    • Whitley, M., Smith, A.L, Dorsch, T., Bowers, M., Centeio, E., P., (2021). Re-envisioning post-pandemic youth sport to meet young people’s mental, emotional, and social needs. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
    • Meredith, W., Smith, A.L, Dorsch, T., Bowers, M., Centieo, E., (2021). Reimagining the youth sport system across the United States: A commentary from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
    • Dorsch, T., (2020). Defining an Olympic legacy: A case study of one community’s efforts to optimize youth sport programming. Journal of Olympic Studies
    • Dorsch, T., (2020). Developing an organizational mission statement in youth sport: Utilizing Mad Libs as a novel, shared leadership approach. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action
    • Dorsch, T., (2020). Parents' perceptions of parent involvement in emerging adults' intercollegiate athletic careers: Policy, education, and desired outcomes. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education
    • Dorsch, T., (2020). Parents’ moral intentions towards antisocial parent behaviour: An identity approach in competitive youth sport. Psychology of Sport & Exercise
    • Osai, K.V, Dorsch, T., Whiteman, S., (2020). "To be, or not to be, that is the question:" Modeling and differentiation among siblings in organized youth sport.. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 42, 500-510. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2019-0279
    • Dorsch, T., King, M., Tulane, S., Osai, K., Dunn, C.R, Carlsen, C., (2019). Parent education in youth sport: A community case study of parents, coaches, and administrators. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
    • Lyons, L.K, Dorsch, T.E, Lowe, K., Kaye, M.P, Arnett, J.J, Faherty, A., Menendez, L.H, (2019). Parents' perceptions of parent involvement in emerging adults' intercollegiate athletic careers: Policy, education, and desired outcomes. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education
    • Sausser, B., Monz, C., Dorsch, T., Smith, J., (2019). The formation of state offices of outdoor recreation and an analysis of their ability to partner with federal land management agencies. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 27, 100232.
    • Dorsch, T., Vierimaa, M., Plucinik, J., (2019). A citation network analysis of research on parent-child interactions in youth sport. Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
    • Kaye, M.P, Lowe, K., Dorsch, T., (2019). Dyadic examination of parental support, basic need satisfaction, and student-athlete development during emerging adulthood. Journal of Family Issues
    • Dorsch, T., King, M.Q, Tulane, S., Osai, K.V, Dunn, C.R, Carlsen, C., (2019). Parent education in youth sport: A community case study of parents, coaches, and administrators. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
    • Sutcliffe, J., McClaren, C.D, Benson, A.J, Martin, L.A, Arnocky, S., Law, B., Dorsch, T., Bruner, M., Parents’ moral intentions towards antisocial parent behaviour: An identity approach in competitive youth sport. Psychology of Sport & Exercise
    • Kaye, M.P, Lowe, K., Dorsch, T., Parent–student-athlete (dis)agreements: Informant variance in perceptions of relationship qualities. Journal of College Student Development
    • Lyons, L.K, Dorsch, T., Bell, L.F, Mason, L., (2018). Renegotiating identity: A phenomenological investigation of the college transition for former high school athletes no longer engaged in varsity competition. Identity, 18, 18-33.
    • DeFreese, J., Dorsch, T., Flitton, T.A, (2018). The parent-child relationship and parents’ experiences of burnout and engagement in organized youth sport. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
    • Lowe, K., Dorsch, T., Kaye, M., Arnett, J., Lyons, L., Faherty, A., Menendez, L., (2018). Parental involvement among collegiate student-athletes: An analysis across NCAA divisions. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport
    • Bolter, N.D, Petranek, L.J, Dorsch, T., (2017). Coach, parent, and administrator perspectives on required coaching education in organized youth sport. International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching
    • Dorsch, T., Blazo, J.A, (2017). Family issues in Amateur Athletics. Journal of Amateur Sport, 3, v-x.
    • Guntzviller, L., Ratcliff, C., Dorsch, T., Osai, K.V, (2017). How do emerging adults respond to exercise advice from parents? A test of advice response theory. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
    • Grimm, M., Dorrance Hall, E., Dunn, C.R, Dorsch, T., (2017). Parent-child communication in sport: Bridging the gap between theory and research. Journal of Amateur Sport, 3, 1-19.
    • Grimm, M.X, Dorrance Hall, E., Dunn, C.R, Dorsch, T., (2017). Parent-child communication in sport: Bridging the gap between theory and research. Journal of Amateur Sport, 3, 1-19.
    • Dorsch, T., Vierimaa, M., (2017). Parents’ role in fostering positive youth development in sport: Theoretical and conceptual considerations. International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development Bulletin, 2, 6-10.
    • Dorsch, T., King, M.Q, Dunn, C.R, Osai, K.V, Tulane, S., (2017). The impact of evidence-based parent education in organized youth sport: A pilot study. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/10413200.2016.1194909
    • Studenka, B., Dorsch, T., Fergusson, N., Olsen, C., Gordin, R.D, (2017). Nonlinear Assessment of Motor Variability During Practice and Competition for Individuals with Different Motivational Orientations.
    • Dorsch, T., Smith, A.L, Dotterer, A., (2016). Individual, relationship, and context factors associated with parent support and pressure in organized youth sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 23, 132-141.
    • Knight, C., Dorsch, T., Haderlie, K., Osai, K., Sellars, P., (2016). Influences on parental involvement in youth sport. Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
    • Dorsch, T., Lowe, K., Dotterer, A., Lyons, L., Barker, A., (2016). Stakeholders’ perceptions of parent involvement in young adults’ intercollegiate athletic careers: Policy, education, and desired-student-athlete outcomes. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 9, 124-141.
    • Dorsch, T., Richards, K., Swain, J., Maxey, M., (2016). The impact of a therapeutic recreation program on individuals with disabilities, their family members, and program staff: A case study. . Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 50, 155-171.
    • Dunn, R., Dorsch, T., King, M., Rothlisberger, K., (2016). The impact of family financial investment on parent pressure, child enjoyment, and commitment in organized youth sport. Family Relations, 65, 287-299.
    • Dorsch, T., Lowe, K., Dotterer, A., Lyons, L., (2016). Parent Involvement in Young Adults’ Intercollegiate Athletic Careers: Developmental Considerations and Applied Recommendations. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 9:1, 1-26.
    • Dorsch, T., Smith, A.L, Dotterer, A., (2016). Individual, relationship, and context factors associated with parent support and pressure in organized youth sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 23, 132-141.
    • Hoza, B., Smith, A.L, Shoulberg, E., Linnea, K., Dorsch, T., Blazo, J., McGonigal, C., McCabe, G., (2015). A randomized trial examining the effects of aerobic physical activity on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in young children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 43, 655-667.
    • Dorsch, T., Smith, A.L, McDonough, M.H, (2015). Early socialization of parents through organized youth sport.. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4:1, 3-18.
    • Dorsch, T., Smith, A.L, Wilson, S.R, McDonough, M.H, (2015). Parent goals and verbal sideline behavior in organized youth sport.. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4:1, 19-35.
    • Dorsch, T., Smith, A., Wilson, S., McDonough, M., (2015). Parent goals and verbal sideline behavior in organized youth sport. Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
    • Dorsch, T., Smith, A., McDonough, M., (2015). Early socialization of parents through organized youth sport. Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
    • Norton, M.C, Clark, C.J, Tschanz, J.T, Hartin, P., Fauth, E.B, Gast, J.A, Dorsch, T., Wengreen, H., Nugent, C., Robinson, W., Lefevre, M., McClean, S., Cleland, I., Schaefer, S., Aguilar, S., (2015). The design and progress of a multidomain lifestyle intervention to improve brain health in middle-aged persons to reduce later Alzheimer’s disease risk: the Gray Matters randomized trial. Alzheimers & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 1:1, 53-62. doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2015.05.001
    • Witt, J.`, Dorsch, T., (2009). Kicking to bigger uprights: Field goal kicking performance relates to perceived size. Perception, 38, 1328-1340.

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | MultiMedia

    Video

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Technical Reports

    Other Reports

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Publications | Other

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Teaching

      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2023
      KIN 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts, Fall 2023
      EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Fall 2023
      HDFS 6960 - Readings/Conference, Fall 2023
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2023
      HDFS 6910, 7910 - Parenting, Spring 2023
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2022
      KIN 6050 - Psychological Aspects of Sports Performance, Fall 2022
      HDFS 6960 - Readings/Conference, Fall 2022
      HDFS 7200 - Topical Seminar: Family Relations, Fall 2022
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2022
      , Fall 2021
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2021
      KIN 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts, Fall 2021
      EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Fall 2021
      USU 1010 - University Connections, Fall 2021
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2021
      HDFS 6020 - Survey: Human Development, Spring 2021
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2020
      KIN 6050 - Psychological Aspects of Sports Performance, Fall 2020
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2019
      PEP 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts, Spring 2019
      HDFS 7960 - Readings/Conference, Spring 2019
      HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2018
      EDUC, PSY 6570 - Introduction to Educational and Psychological Research, Fall 2018
      USU 1010 - University Connections, Fall 2018
      FCHD 7980 - Advanced Graduate Practicum, Spring 2018
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2018
      PEP 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts, Spring 2018
      FCHD 7980 - Advanced Graduate Practicum, Fall 2017
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2017
      EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods, Fall 2017
      USU 1010 - University Connections, Fall 2017
      FCHD 7980 - Advanced Graduate Practicum, Spring 2017
      HONR 4900 - Honors Thesis/Capstone, Spring 2017
      HONR 4900 - Honors Thesis/Capstone, Spring 2017
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2017
      FCHD 6910, 7910 - Parenting, Spring 2017
      FCHD 6020 - Survey: Human Development, Spring 2017
      FCHD 7980 - Advanced Graduate Practicum, Fall 2016
      FCHD 7980 - Advanced Graduate Practicum, Fall 2016
      FCHD 7970 - Dissertation Hours, Fall 2016
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2016
      PEP 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts, Fall 2016
      FCHD 7980 - Advanced Graduate Practicum, Spring 2016
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Spring 2016
      PEP 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts, Spring 2016
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2015
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2015
      EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Methods I, Fall 2015
      PEP 5700 - Special Topics in Physical Education, Spring 2015
      FCHD 6020 - Survey: Human Development, Spring 2015
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2014
      PEP 6810 - Research Methods in Health Sciences, Fall 2014
      FCHD 6200 - Topical Seminar: Families in Sport, Spring 2014
      FCHD 7200 - Topical Seminar: Families in Sport, Spring 2014
      FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan, Fall 2013
      PEP 6810 - Research Methods in Health Sciences, Fall 2013
      PEP 6810 - Research Methods in Health Sciences, Fall 2013

      Graduate Students Mentored

      Ayomiposi Aribasoye, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2023
      Kat Adams, August 2021
      Katie Alexander, August 2021
      Daniel Fleming, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2019
      Marshall Grimm, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2015
      Amand Hardiman, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2019 - May 2023
      Michael King, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2017 - May 2022
      Logan Lyons, Human Devt. and Family Studies, August 2014 - May 2019
      Keith Osai, Human Devt. and Family Studies, May 2013 - August 2018