Journal of

Background and Aim: The emotional atmosphere of the family (EAF) has an outstanding impact on the performance of young athletes. Nowadays, the generation gap (GG) and addiction to online social networks (AOSN) are some of the most pressing issues that have attracted the attention of psychologists. This study aimed to predict the EAF based on the GG and AOSN of young football players in Tehran. 

Method: The method of the present study was descriptive and correlational studies. The population of this study consisted of male football players selected from the youth football schools in Tehran in the fall of 2021, from which 169 youth football players were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data were collected using the Family Emotional Atmosphere Questionnaire (FEAQ), the Perceived Generation Gap Questionnaire (Olson, 1999), and the Mobile Social Addiction Questionnaire by (Khajeh Ahmadi et al., 2016). Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

Findings: The results showed that AOSN (p<0.01, r=-0.46) and its components, such as personal performance, time management, self-control, and social relationships, have a significant negative relationship with the EAF of young football players (p <0.01). GG (p <0.01, r = -0.38) and its components, such as solidarity with father, solidarity with mother, duration of interaction, place, decision-making, emotional communication, parents' relations with each other and their associations with children also had a significant negative relationship with the EAF of young football players (p <0.05). The results also indicated that the components of AOSN and the GG together explain 26% of the total variance of the EAF of young football players (p <0.01). The overall score of AOSN and GG also explained 37% of the changes in the EAF of the young footballers' families (p <0.01). 

Conclusion: According to the findings, the EAF of young football players in Tehran is predicted based on the GG and AOSN.