The present study aimed to examine the effect of Secure Coach–Athlete Attachment on athletes' performance, with subjective well-being serving as a mediating variable. This applied study employed a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design and was conducted using a survey method. The statistical population consisted of active athletes in Razavi Khorasan Province during the 2025–2026 period (1404–1405 in the Iranian calendar), from whom 184 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Coach–Athlete Attachment Questionnaire developed by Davis and Jowett (2013), the Athlete Performance Questionnaire by Charbonneau et al. (2001), and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (1998). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and SmartPLS version 3.



The results indicated that secure coach–athlete attachment had a significant positive direct effect on athletes' performance (β = 0.281, p < 0.05) and subjective well-being (β = 0.775, p < 0.001). In addition, subjective well-being had a significant positive direct effect on athletes' performance (β = 0.339, p < 0.001). The indirect effects analysis further revealed that subjective well-being significantly mediated the relationship between secure coach–athlete attachment and athletes' performance (β = 0.263, p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that fostering relationships characterized by trust, support, and positive interaction between coaches and athletes not only enhances subjective well-being but also improves athletic performance. Accordingly, simultaneous attention to the quality of the secure coach–athlete relationship and the psychological well-being of athletes may represent an effective strategy for enhancing athletic performance.