Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

Relationship Between Coaches’ Emotional Intelligence and Academic Adjustment of Student Athletes: The Mediating Role of Motivation in Sport

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Sholeh Khodadad Kashi 1
Fatemeh Kiani 2
sheida ranjbari 3
Zohreh Rezaei 4
Mahdiyeh EslamiNosratAbadi 5
1 Department of Physical Education, K.N Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department Of Physical Education, Sav.C., Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran
3 Department of Physical Education, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
4 Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
5 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran
10.22089/spsyj.2026.18979.2644
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of motivation in the relationship between coaches’ emotional intelligence and the academic adjustment of student athletes. The research involved 317 student athletes (168 males and 149 females, aged 14 to 18) from various sports disciplines, including basketball, football, volleyball, and track and field. Standardized questionnaires were utilized to assess the emotional intelligence of coaches, motivation, and academic adjustment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Macro Process version 4 software. The results indicated a positive correlation between coaches’ emotional intelligence and motivation (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) as well as academic adjustment (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). Furthermore, motivation was positively correlated with academic adjustment (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Notably, motivation significantly mediated the relationship between coaches’ emotional intelligence and academic adjustment (95% CI [0.20, 0.08], b = 0.13). These findings underscore the importance of coaches’ emotional intelligence in enhancing the academic adjustment of student athletes through increased motivation, highlighting the need for emotional and motivational support in both educational and athletic environments. Additionally, the results can inform the development of coach training programs and school sports policies aimed at fostering the growth of student athlete communities.
Keywords
Emotional intelligence
Motivation
Academic adjustment
Student-athletes
Mediation
Subjects
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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 15, Issue 57
Summer 2026
Pages 163-175

  • Receive Date 23 December 2025
  • Revise Date 18 April 2026
  • Accept Date 19 April 2026