Family and Coach Support on Motivation and Performance in Adolescent Athletes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Athletic achievement is influenced not only by physical talent and training but also by socio-psychological factors. Parental and coach support has been identified as crucial for fostering motivation, self-confidence, and performance in adolescent athletes. This systematic review aims to examine the impact of family and coach support on adolescents’ psychological development and athletic performance.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2020 to 2024. Inclusion criteria were original research in English or Indonesian, studies involving student athletes aged 8–20 years, and publications within the past five years. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Four studies meeting the criteria were included for qualitative synthesis.

Results: Consistent evidence across all included studies indicates that social support from parents and coaches significantly enhances intrinsic motivation, resilience, and competitive performance among adolescent athletes. Findings align with Self-Determination Theory and Achievement Goal Theory, which emphasize fulfilling psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness to promote motivation and performance. Parental involvement contributes to persistence and intrinsic motivation, while coaches who provide an empowering and supportive climate facilitate both personal growth and athletic success.

Conclusion: Family and coach support are critical for optimizing motivation and performance in adolescent athletes. Interventions aimed at strengthening parental involvement and coach–athlete relationships are recommended. The small number of studies and absence of meta-analysis limit generalizability, highlighting the need for broader and more diverse research in this field.