Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

The Role of Coaches and Parents in Adolescent Elite Sport Development: A Psycho-Social Approach

Document Type : Review study

Authors
1 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Sport Psychology, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The development of competitive sports in adolescents is a multidimensional process that is influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors. The role of coaches and parents in the development of competitive sports in adolescents is an important issue in the field of sports psychology, which research has always sought to determine its various dimensions. Coaches, through creating a supportive environment, improving skills, and modeling behavior, and parents, through comprehensive support and setting realistic expectations, contribute to the formation of motivation, self-confidence, and sports persistence in adolescents. Research has examined this role and has been accompanied by various results. The present study was conducted with the aim of examining and reviewing studies conducted in this field. The research method was descriptive and review-based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement. In order to collect data, the desired keywords were searched from the ProQuest (Physical Education Index); Scopus (Elsevier); Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, Civilica and Web of Science databases. Then, the abstract, results, and findings of each article were reviewed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 43articles were selected and their results were reported. The results of the study showed that coaches can help adolescents develop intrinsic motivation, self-confidence, and athletic stability by creating a supportive environment, improving technical and psychological skills, and modeling behavior. However, parents' emotional, financial, and social support and realistic expectations help balance pressure and incentive on the road to championship sports.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 July 2026

  • Receive Date 24 May 2026
  • Revise Date 10 July 2026
  • Accept Date 11 July 2026