The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Perceived Coach Support in Sport Motivation Among Adolescent Athletes

Background: Sport motivation plays a crucial role in adolescents’ long-term participation in sport and psychological wellbeing. Emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived coach support are considered important psychological resources. However, their contribution to autonomous and controlled sport motivation among adolescent athletes remains insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how EI and perceived coach support predict different types of sport motivation among adolescent athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 276 adolescent athletes. Participants completed the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Sport Motivation Scale II (SMS-II), and a questionnaire assessing perceived coach support. Results: EI and coach support were positively associated with each other and with both autonomous and controlled motivation. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that both EI and perceived coach support significantly predicted autonomous and controlled motivation, EI demonstrating the stronger predictive effect. Gender also significantly and negatively predicted both forms of motivation. Conclusions: EI and perceived coach support are important predictors of both autonomous and controlled sport motivation among adolescent athletes. Therefore, interventions aimed at strengthening sport motivation should address both athletes’ emotional competencies and the supportive role of coaches. Keywords: Emotional competence, autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, coach–athlete relationship, youth athletes