A Meta-Analytic Investigation of the Relationship between Intrinsic Motivation and Affect

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Intrinsic motivation may be associated with a higher level of positive affect and a lower level of negative affect. A number of studies have examined the relationship between intrinsic motivation and affect.<br/><b>Objectives:</b> The present study aimed to consolidate the varying effect sizes found in previous studies of intrinsic motivation and 1) positive affect and 2) negative affect, and to identify moderators of these relationships.<br/><b>Methods:</b> Two meta-analytic investigations were completed.<br/><b>Results:</b> Across 17 samples with a total of 5991 participants, there was a significant mean weighted effect size of r = .44 for the relationship between a higher level of intrinsic motivation and greater positive affect. There was also a significant relationship between a higher level of intrinsic motivation and less negative affect, with a mean weighted effect size of r = -.25 found across 17 samples with a total of 4655 participants. Moderator analyses showed that the age of participants and percent of females in studies as well as the type of measure used in studies was related to the strength of associations between intrinsic motivation and affect.<br/><b>Conclusion:</b> The results indicate that across studies greater intrinsic motivation is associated with more positive affect and less negative affect. These findings establish the framework for future research directions and have implications for clinical interventions intended to increase intrinsic motivation or those intended to increase positive affect and decrease negative affect.