Cited by 378Motivation and Self-Concept in SportsBehavioral Health and InterventionsEducation, Achievement, and Giftedness

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We know this much is (meta-analytically) true: A meta-review of meta-analytic findings evaluating self-determination theory

Ryan, Richard M., Duineveld, Jasper J., Di Domenico, Stefano I., Ryan, William S., Steward, Ben A., Bradshaw, Emma L.·2022·Psychological Bulletin

DOI 10.1037/bul0000385

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Abstract

Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theoretical framework for addressing human motivation and wellness that has been actively and increasingly researched over four decades. As a cumulative knowledge base, many of SDT’s fundamental tenets have been repeatedly examined. We identified 60 meta-analyses that tested many of the propositions of SDT’s six mini-theories, other theory-based hypotheses, and SDT’s utility in applied domains. In this review we examine what these meta-analyses establish, highlighting the support they lend to the validity of SDT’s motivational taxonomy and its hypotheses regarding the respective effects of basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration on well-being and ill-being. Meta-analytic evidence also strongly supports the relevance of SDT for organizations, health care, parenting, and education among other domains, with identifiable gaps in the meta-analytic literature. We conclude by discussing the importance of broad theory and the use of meta-analytic knowledge as scaffolding for further theory and research, albeit with its own methodological limitations.

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Does fare-free public transport reduce social exclusion for older persons? Empirical evidence from Vietnam
Nguyen, T. T. D., & Nguyen, M. H. (2026) · Cities · doi:10.1016/j.cities.2026.107418
Using Network Analysis to Explore Longitudinal Predictors of Goal Progress and Adjustment
Chhabda, A., Maccarone, F., Gawned, A., Sieunarine, A., & Riddell, H. (2026) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.70090
Neutrality in Need Unfulfillment: Supporting the Essential Role of Basic Psychological Needs for Emotional Well-Being
Costa, S. (2026) · International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology · doi:10.1007/s41042-026-00315-8
“…magnitude, these global standardized pathways ( β ≈ 0.60) represent strong statistical effects within the SDT paradigm, aligning with prior structural frameworks where basic psychological needs typically show robust correlations with affective well-being (Ryan et al., 2022; Stanley et al., 2021).”
Influential
AI and student motivation: A scoping review
Li, J., King, R. B., Chai, C. S., Lee, V. W. Y., & Li, R. (2026) · Journal of Research on Technology in Education · doi:10.1080/15391523.2026.2672515 · Cited by 1
AI-Based Reflection on Character Strengths at Work: Testing a Digital Strengths Intervention in a Randomized Controlled Study
Watermann, L., Kochems, R., Lermer, E., & Kubowitsch, S. (2026) · International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology · doi:10.1007/s41042-026-00319-4
“…dem - onstrates that these needs uniquely predict well-being (Rudolph et al., 2025; Tay & Diener, 2011 ; Vansteenkiste et al., 2020 ), and organizational evidence links their ful-fillment to higher job satisfaction, engagement, and performance (Van den Broeck et al., 2016; Ryan et al., 2022).”
Self-determination theory and faculty development: Understanding motivations for participation
Bowles‐Terry, M., & Sobel, K. (2026) · The Reference Librarian · doi:10.1080/02763877.2026.2711283
“Their original studies explored the reasons that adults choose to do activities that they enjoy (Deci & Ryan, 1980; Ryan et al., 2022, p. 813).”
Creating Passionate Employees: The Power of Psychological Diversity Climate in Promoting Citizenship Behaviors
Caligiuri, M. D., Bao, S., & Jolly, P. M. (2026) · Cornell Hospitality Quarterly · doi:10.1177/19389655261473488
Developing a wellbeing framework for employees working from home within a South African government entity
Selesho, R. A., & Matjie, M. A. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1817111
Examining the Temporal Associations Between Religious Motivations and Meaning in Life: A Self‐Determination Perspective
Kerasha, K., Matsuo, H., Melton, K. K., Glanzer, P. L., & Schnitker, S. A. (2026) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.70091
Autonomy Deeply Considered
Bradshaw, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2026) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-80686-869-820261005
Self-citation
Strategies to Promote Physical Activity Among Retired Adults: A Scoping Review
Côté, A., & Miquelon, P. (2026) · Journal of Aging and Physical Activity · doi:10.1123/japa.2025-0205
Promising Solutions for Improving Professional Development Outcomes in Mathematics Instruction among Diverse Early Childhood Educators
Wagner, M. C., Tennie, L., & Wellinghoff, K. (2026) · Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1177/23727322261470726
“Decades of research support these principles as fundamental to increasing humans ’ motivation to learn (Ryan et al., 2022).”
CARACTERÍSTICAS PSICOMÉTRICAS DEL INVENTARIO DE MOTIVACIÓN A LA DELINCUENCIA EN POBLACIÓN JOVEN VINCULADA AL SISTEMA DE RESPONSABILIDAD PENAL PARA ADOLESCENTES
Casares, Y. R., & Vélez-Botero, H. (2026) · Psychologia · doi:10.21500/19002386.7305
The impact of teleworking on employee idea generation: a self-determination theory perspective
Chen, X., Chen, Y., Hu, D., et al. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1855286
When does working with AI empower or entrap university faculty? A dualistic passion perspective on job crafting
Zhu, J., & Zhang, Y. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1853560
“Prior perspectives on motivation and work design, such as self-determination theory (Ryan et al., 2022) and the job demands–resources model (Bakker et al., 2023), offer important insights into autonomous motivation and the resource–demand nature of work experiences.”
Negotiations in the classroom: an experimental study on how teachers appraise and respond to students’ expressions of non-agreement
Flamant, N., Vansteenkiste, M., Haerens, L. L., Vrijders, B., Prinzie, P., & Soenens, B. (2026) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-026-10277-8
Physical activity as a modest behavioral pathway between parental marital conflict and adolescent anxiety: exploring gender differences
Zhang, Z., Wang, J., Jing, Y., Zang, W., & Pa, W. A. M. W. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1742433
“Self-Determination Theory further suggests that high-conflict family environments may weaken the satisfaction of adolescents’ basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, thereby reducing intrinsic motivation for physical activity (Ryan et al., 2022).”
Hybrid work and daily well-being: The role of need satisfaction and telework normativeness from a self-determination theory perspective
Bantz, T. M., & Rigotti, T. (2026) · German Journal of Human Resource Management Zeitschrift für Personalforschung · doi:10.1177/23970022261477090
Ceiling Effects in Satisfaction-Based Survey Items: A Psychometric Diagnostic Study of Instructional Facilitation Measures Among Indonesian Pre-Service Science Teachers
Virijai, F., Prima, E. C., Khoerunnisa, F., et al. (2026) · F1000Research · doi:10.12688/f1000research.187984.1

Authors: Ryan, R. M., Duineveld, J. J., Di Domenico, S. I., Ryan, W. S., Steward, B. A., & Bradshaw, E. L.
ORCID: Ryan, Richard M.
Duineveld, Jasper J.
Di Domenico, Stefano I.
Ryan, William S.
Steward, Ben A.
Bradshaw, Emma L.
Venue: Psychological Bulletin
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2022-11
Volume: 148
Issue: 11-12
Pages: 813-842
ISSN: 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
1939-1455
DOI: 10.1037/bul0000385
OpenAlex: W4327660578
Cited by: 378
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 151 · 2025: 133 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 19
FWCI: 47.88
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
Keywords: self-determination theory, meta-review, evidence synthesis, motivation, autonomy, competence, relatedness

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