Open research questions in Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports

What the literature leaves open

• Variable-centered approaches overlook individual heterogeneity. Theoretical integration is lacking. Precision interventions lack grounding.

  Heterogeneity among exercise participants: latent profile analysis and differential persistence pathways based on the pressure-support-motivation (PSM) framework · 2026 · DOI

• The paper identifies a gap in understanding the mechanisms of teachers' burnout and job satisfaction. There is a need to examine individual and contextual factors that contribute to job satisfaction and teacher retention and may reduce burnout.

  Positive teacher development model: Pathways to teachers job satisfaction and burnout · 2026 · DOI

• The lack of a nuanced, culturally sensitive approach to motivation theories. The need to re-evaluate the nature of widely used motivation constructs within the context of particular cultural socialization. The need to explicitly test cultural moderation in motivational dynamics.

  Cultural Insights into the Motivation Paradox of East Asian Learners · 2026 · DOI

• The study acknowledges potential limitations due to context-specificity and unexplored factors.

  Investigating Factors Influencing Student Academic Outcomes in Online Higher Education: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study · 2026 · DOI

• A critical research gap exists regarding the combined influence of self-directed learning, collaborative learning, and student isolation on academic achievement and academic resilience. Previous studies have explored the independent effects of self-directed learning, collaborative learning, and student isolation, but not their combined influence.

  Investigating Factors Influencing Student Academic Outcomes in Online Higher Education: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study · 2026 · DOI

• The study notes that motivation in public organizations is increasingly dependent on day-to-day interactions with managerial practice. The paper highlights the challenge of enhancing engagement in public organizations operating under procedural constraints and limited resources.

  Beyond incentives: psychological need satisfaction, non-financial motivation, and managerial effectiveness in public organizations · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in understanding how psychological need satisfaction influences employees' evaluations of non-financial motivational methods and managerial effectiveness. The paper highlights the importance of considering the role of psychological need satisfaction in public organizations.

  Beyond incentives: psychological need satisfaction, non-financial motivation, and managerial effectiveness in public organizations · 2026 · DOI

• The findings should be interpreted cautiously due to limited support for approximate measurement invariance across gender - The study employed a cross-sectional correlational research design, which does not permit causal inferences - The study used a relatively small sample size of 400 participants

  Modeling Gender Differences in Psychological Well-Being, Self-Regulation, and Teacher Support Among Ethiopian EFL Students · 2026 · DOI

• Investigating the relationship between perceived teacher support and EFL learners' well-being in different cultural contexts - Examining the impact of self-regulation skills on EFL learners' well-being in various educational settings - Exploring the role of other variables, such as motivation and anxiety, in mediating the association between perceived teacher support and EFL learners' well-being

  Modeling Gender Differences in Psychological Well-Being, Self-Regulation, and Teacher Support Among Ethiopian EFL Students · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies the challenge of understanding the underlying mechanisms guiding GenAI adoption among EFL students. The study highlights the need to design effective, equitable, and ethically responsible AI-supported English learning practices.

  Understanding EFL Students’ Adoption of Generative AI for English Learning: An Integrated UTAUT2 Model and Self-determination Theory · 2025 · DOI

• Limited research has examined the underlying mechanisms guiding the adoption of GenAI tools among EFL students. Prior studies have examined external or internal factors in isolation, rather than presenting a comprehensive framework.

  Understanding EFL Students’ Adoption of Generative AI for English Learning: An Integrated UTAUT2 Model and Self-determination Theory · 2025 · DOI

• The study had a limited sample size of 150 intermediate-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. The study was conducted in a specific cultural context (China) and may not be generalizable to other contexts. The study did not explore the long-term effects of AI-driven gamification beyond the 16-week intervention period. The study relied on self-reported data from participants, which may be subject to biases.

  The human touch in AI: optimizing language learning through self-determination theory and teacher scaffolding · 2025 · DOI

• Investigate the long-term effects of AI-driven gamification on language learning outcomes. Explore the impact of AI-driven gamification on different language skills (e.g., reading, writing, speaking). Examine the effectiveness of AI-driven gamification in different cultural contexts. Develop more sophisticated AI systems that can adapt to individual learners' needs and abilities.

  The human touch in AI: optimizing language learning through self-determination theory and teacher scaffolding · 2025 · DOI

• The underlying psychological mechanisms of physical activity's effects on mental health are insufficiently explored. There is a need for more comprehensive and systematic approaches to promote mental health among university students.

  The relationship between physical activity and mental health among university students: a chain mediation effect of self-efficacy and emotion regulation · 2025 · DOI

• addressing methodological standards in the field - considering alternative ways to strengthen the evidence base - using single-case designs and one group longitudinal designs

  The effectiveness of psychological interventions in elite sport: methodological issues and opportunities to gather evidence · 2025 · DOI

• The lack of evidence on the effectiveness of psychological interventions in elite sport - The need for more interventional studies that test the effects of different psychological interventions on performance - The importance of considering alternative designs and methods to strengthen the evidence base

  The effectiveness of psychological interventions in elite sport: methodological issues and opportunities to gather evidence · 2025 · DOI

• The study faced challenges in recruiting participants, as the survey was openly accessible and the number of invited participants could not be determined. The research also encountered challenges in measuring SES and motivation, as these constructs are complex and multifaceted. The study had to balance the need for a large sample size with the need for in-depth, nuanced analysis of the relationship between SES and motivation.

  Socioeconomic status and motivation in endurance sports: insights from long-distance running · 2025 · DOI

• Explore the broader psychological and cultural factors influencing running motivations, - Investigate the relationship between SES and motivation in other endurance sports

  Socioeconomic status and motivation in endurance sports: insights from long-distance running · 2025 · DOI

• The study identifies the challenge of distinguishing between surface-level engagement and deeper learning in GenAI-enhanced EFL classrooms. The research highlights the challenge of promoting meaningful learning and motivation in EFL learners who demonstrate behavioral participation but experience a lack of motivation. The study also notes the challenge of balancing the use of GenAI tools with the need for human interaction and emotional engagement in EFL education.

  EBA (Engaged but Amotivated) in AI-enhanced EFL learning: a qualitative study from a Chinese higher vocational context · 2025 · DOI

• The prevailing assumption that visible engagement signifies meaningful learning is challenged. The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the relationship between GenAI tools and EFL learners' motivation and engagement. The research highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of the influence of GenAI tools on EFL learners' motivation and engagement.

  EBA (Engaged but Amotivated) in AI-enhanced EFL learning: a qualitative study from a Chinese higher vocational context · 2025 · DOI

• The correlation between social support, psychological capital, and physical exercise behavior needs further exploration. The mediating roles played by psychological capital in the relationship between social support and physical exercise behavior are not well understood.

  The role of social support and psychological capital in college students' physical exercise behavior: a mediation analysis · 2025 · DOI

• The study identifies the challenge of ensuring the continuity of learning in e-learning environments. The research highlights the importance of developing independent, responsible attitudes and taking responsibility for one's learning process. The paper notes the challenge of low learning motivation and lack of learning skills, including self-regulation and goal setting.

  The effect of self-efficacy and self-set grade goals on academic outcomes · 2024 · DOI

• The study has a limited sample size of 160 university teacher training students. The study only considers the online course context. The study does not account for other motivational factors that may influence goal setting.

  The effect of self-efficacy and self-set grade goals on academic outcomes · 2024 · DOI

• The study faces the challenge of analyzing the effects of basic psychological need support on intrinsic motivation and perceived competence in physical education, which is a complex and multifaceted construct. The study also faces the challenge of using longitudinal measurement invariance testing, which requires careful consideration of the measurement model and the effects of basic psychological need support over time.

  Longitudinal effects of basic psychological need support on the development of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence in physical education. A multilevel study · 2024 · DOI

• There is a lack of research on the effects of basic psychological need support on intrinsic motivation and perceived competence in physical education. Prior studies have not examined the individual and combined effects of autonomy support, competence support, relatedness support, and peer relatedness support on intrinsic motivation and perceived competence.

  Longitudinal effects of basic psychological need support on the development of intrinsic motivation and perceived competence in physical education. A multilevel study · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports

• Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. · American Psychologist · 2000 · 33,004 citations
• A theory of human motivation. · Psychological Review · 1943 · 14,946 citations
• Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions · Contemporary Educational Psychology · 2000 · 11,750 citations
• Self‐determination theory and work motivation · Journal of Organizational Behavior · 2005 · 5,444 citations
• Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. · American Psychologist · 2002 · 5,315 citations
• Expectancy–Value Theory of Achievement Motivation · Contemporary Educational Psychology · 2000 · 5,083 citations
• Motivational Beliefs, Values, and Goals · Annual Review of Psychology · 2002 · 4,851 citations
• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions · Contemporary Educational Psychology · 2020 · 4,707 citations
• Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. · Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne · 2008 · 4,613 citations
• Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence. · Psychological Review · 1959 · 4,603 citations

Most recent work

• Determinants of lecturer readiness to adopt generative AI in higher education: survey evidence from UTAUT and self-determination theory · Education and Information Technologies · 2026
• Integrating technology acceptance, self-determination, and self-regulation: A structural model of generative AI-supported learning and competence · Computers in Human Behavior · 2026
• The impact of artificial intelligence perception on university students' academic engagement: the mediating role of academic motivation and the moderating role of academic self-efficacy · Frontiers in Psychology · 2026
• Unpacking the relationship between self-control and academic engagement: the mediating role of meaning in life and the moderating role of GenAI dependence · BMC Psychology · 2026
• Undergraduate students’ perceptions of generative artificial intelligence as a predictor of learning autonomy in Ghana · Discover Artificial Intelligence · 2026
• Beyond the degree in the digital era: postsecondary students’ practices and perspectives on lifelong learning · Frontiers in Education · 2026
• How Need-Thwarting Teaching Styles Are Combined for Physical Education Teachers: Differences in Students’ Motivational Outcomes · Education Sciences · 2026
• Self-determination theory in the workplace: the evolution, present, and beyond · Journal of Business Research · 2026
• Job crafting, meaningful work and employee engagement · Management Decision · 2026
• Cultural Insights into the Motivation Paradox of East Asian Learners · Educational Psychology Review · 2026

Related topics in Psychology