Mediating Role of Parental Motivation: Effects of Social Media Addiction on Sports Performance and Psychological Health of Athletes

The present study focus on effects of social media addiction on sports performance and psychological health of club-level athletes, with a special focus on the mediating role of parental motivation. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 231 club-level athletes involved in cricket, football, and badminton in District Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Valid and reliable questionnaires were used to measure social media addiction, sports performance, psychological health (stress, anxiety, burnout, goal setting, and decision making), and parental motivation. The collected data were analyzed using (SPSS Version- 32), applying descriptive statistics, reliability and normality tests, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis through Hayes Process Macro. On the basis of analysis, the results showed that social media addiction had a significant negative relationship with sports performance and psychological health. Athletes who spent excessive time on social media reported lower performance levels, higher stress, anxiety, and burnout, and weaker psychological skills needed for effective decision making and goal setting. The findings further revealed that parental motivation played a positive and protective role in athletes’ performance and mental well-being. Athletes who received strong encouragement, guidance, and support from their parents demonstrated better sports performance and healthier psychological states. Mediation analysis confirmed that parental motivation partially mediated the relationship between social media addiction and both sports performance and psychological health. This means that excessive social media use reduces parental motivational support, which then negatively affects athletes’ outcomes; however, social media addiction also influences athletes directly through psychological pressure and emotional strain. Demographic analysis indicated that socioeconomic status and locality significantly affected athletes’ psychological health, with lower socioeconomic and rural athletes being more vulnerable, while ethnicity showed no significant differences. In conclusion, the study highlights that social media addiction is a serious concern for athletes’ performance and mental health, whereas parental motivation serves as an important buffering factor. The study emphasizes the need for awareness programs, responsible social media use, parental involvement, and psychological support systems to promote healthy digital habits and sustainable athletic development. The findings provide valuable guidance for athletes, parents, coaches, and policymakers working to enhance sports performance and psychological well-being in the digital age.