Objective: This study aimed to predict citizenship behaviors in adolescents based on parent–child relationships, with sports participation and feelings of inferiority as mediators.
Materials and Methods: This was an applied, descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population comprised all adolescents aged 15–18 years enrolled in the physical education program at vocational schools in Tehran Province during the 2026–2027 academic year. A convenience sample of 225 adolescents was selected. Data were collected using the Citizenship Behaviors Questionnaire (Irannezhad et al., 2023), the Parent–Child Relationship Evaluation Questionnaire (Fine et al., 1983), the Sports Participation Motivation Questionnaire (Gill et al., 1983), and the Comparative Inferiority Feelings Questionnaire (Strano & Dixon, 1990). Path analysis was performed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-24.
Results: Citizenship behaviors were predicted by parent–child relationships through the mediating effects of sports participation (β = 0.183, P = 0.001) and feelings of inferiority (β = 0.233, P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Enhancing intimacy in parent–child relationships—by reducing feelings of inferiority and encouraging sports participation—plays a decisive role in strengthening adolescents' citizenship behaviors. Accordingly, workshops to improve family interactions and enriched school sports programs can foster social responsibility in the younger generation.