Purpose: The aim of this research was to predict anxiety in adolescent athletes based on family functioning, while examining the mediating roles of psychological flexibility and frustration tolerance.
Methods: This research was applied in nature and utilized a descriptive correlational method. The population of this study included all adolescent athletes in district 4 of Tehran city. A total of 443 individuals were selected through non-random convenience sampling. The research tools included the Beck Anxiety Questionnaire (1988), the Harington Frustration Tolerance Scale (2005), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – 2 by Bond et al. (2011), and the McMaster Family Assessment by Epstein et al. (1983). Structural equation modeling was conducted using fit indices and SPSS and AMOS software.
Results: The results indicated that anxiety in adolescent athletes can be predicted based on family functioning (P = 0.001, β = 0.400), with the mediating role of psychological flexibility (P = 0.001, Z = 0.114), and ultimately with the mediating role of frustration tolerance (P = 0.001, Z = 0.373).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that in order to control anxiety in adolescent athletes, psychological variables such as frustration tolerance, psychological flexibility, along with family functioning, should be taken into consideration.