The relationship between coaches’ interpersonal behaviors, basic psychological needs, behavioral regulation, and intentions towards sport persistence

This study investigates the relationships between coaches’ need-supportive and need-thwarting behaviors, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, motivation, intentions to continue, and athletes sport persistence. A total of 518 athletes (212 male, 306 female), 18 to 32 years (M = 23.18, SD = 4.19), participated in the study, with participants from football (n = 179), basketball (n = 166), and swimming (n = 173). A structural equation model and a mediation model were performed to understand the associations between motivational factors based on self-determination theory and a 2-year sport persistence assessment. Intentions to continue sport practice accounted for 12% of the variance related to sport persistence in the structural equation model. The mediation model did not reveal any direct effects for need-supportive or need-thwarting behaviors towards sport persistence. However, significant indirect paths were identified in the bright side of the model. Total indirect effect of the need-supportive behaviors in the model was β = .14 (CI95% = .26, .37) while for need-thwarting behaviors was β = −.05 (CI95% = −.11, −.01) towards sport persistence, indicating a positive mediation process. Coaches by being perceived as need-supportive may increase athletes’ intention to continue participating in sport, and consequently sport persistence.