Compilation an emotional intelligence training program for parents based on the relationship between parents and teenage soccer players: an action research study

Objectives: It is obvious that parents' participation in youth sports can be influenced by a range of individual, environmental and social factors. For those developing parent-athlete education and support initiatives, it is important to consider factors that enable parents to be positively involved in their children's sport.
Methods & Materials: For this purpose, 30 parents (father or mother) and 2 coaches from a dedicated football academy were selected as participants in this study. The method of this study was action research and the data collection method was qualitative. For this purpose, data were collected by monitoring verbal and non-verbal behaviors, as well as to know the thoughts, feelings and attitudes of the participants from the reflective diary, as well as the researcher's reflective memories and semi-structured interviews with the coaches and parents of the athletes. The collected data were carefully implemented and analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method.
Results: The findings of the research were placed in 5 comprehensive categories of empathy, mental toughness, self-awareness, perceived competence and effective communication.
Conclusion: The results showed that emotional intelligence training for parents is different according to parents' needs. The identified needs of the supportive educational program to strengthen emotional intelligence are important for parents; Therefore, it is necessary that coaches, psychologists, sports managers pay attention to environmental and individual factors to develop an effective mental skill program.