The Role of Motivation Theories and Coaching Psychology in Promoting Equity and Well-Being

This chapter explores integrating motivation theories and coaching psychology to enhance student success in online higher education. Online learning demands greater autonomy, creating challenges traditional content delivery cannot address. The chapter examines Self-Determination Theory, Expectancy-Value Theory, and Goal-Setting Theory as foundations for understanding student motivation. It presents coaching frameworks including GROW, CLEAR, Solution-Focused Coaching, and Motivational Interviewing for fostering intrinsic motivation, building self-efficacy, and supporting well-being. The approach emphasises moving beyond deficit-based models to strengths-based interventions recognising diverse learning styles. This integrated framework represents a paradigm shift toward more inclusive and psychologically informed online education, creating supportive environments where students can develop autonomy and resilience needed to succeed.