A systematic review and meta-analysis of motivational climate and youth sport outcomes: examining a hierarchical effects model

Objective Although the beneficial impact of motivational climate on adolescent sport participation is well-established, key questions remain unresolved regarding its hierarchical mechanism and the relative efficacy across climate types. This study applies a meta-analytic approach to reveal the deep structural mechanism of motivational climate to guide theoretical improvement and provide empirical support for optimal implementation in physical education. Methods Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched the Web of Science and CNKI databases for studies published between 2015 and 2025. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools. A total…