Motivational climate in youth sport groups

Abstract Despite lesser empirical attention on the role of achievement motivation within group dynamics in sport, there is growing evidence as to how motivational climates can influence both the structure, functioning, and outcomes of youth sport groups. To this end, the aim of this chapter was to review the research that has examined how motivational climates affect intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group level outcomes in youth sport. First, we provide an overview of achievement goal theory (Nicholls, 1984) and Ames’ (1992) motivational climate as a guiding framework. Following this we highlight how the perceived motivational climate can influence intrapersonal (e.g., competence, effort) and interpersonal outcomes (e.g., relationships). Furthermore, we illustrate how motivational climates can affect the structure (e.g., group norms), emergent states (e.g., cohesion, collective efficacy) and processes (e.g., social loafing) in youth sport groups. Finally, we highlight key developmental considerations and offer future research directions.