In recent years, sports fandom has evolved beyond merely consuming games and merchandise, functioning as a central domain for the formation of social relationships and establishing individual identity. Accordingly, there is a growing need to understan...
In recent years, sports fandom has evolved beyond merely consuming games and merchandise, functioning as a central domain for the formation of social relationships and establishing individual identity. Accordingly, there is a growing need to understand the effect of team identification on the socio-psychological well-being of sports fan. In response to this need, the present study empirically examined the effect of team identification on individuals’ social well-being and explored the psychological factors the mediate this relationship. The study adopted Wann’s(2006) Team Identification-Social Psychological Health Model as its theoretical framework. To verify and expand upon this model, the study investigated the mediating roles of collective self-esteem, community psychological safety, and sense of community in the relationship between team identification and social well-being.
An online survey was conducted targeting domestic professional sports fans who support a specific team. Out of a total of 415 collected responses, 408 valid cases were used for analysis after excluding 7 responses that were either insincere or did not meet the participant criteria. Data analysis was performed using the R4.4.3 statistical software, and included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis(CFA), validity testing, and structural equation modeling(SEM).
The findings derived from the analyses are as follows. First, team identification was found to have a significant positive effect on collective self-esteem, community psychological safety, and sense of community. Second, each of these three psychosocial variables had a significant positive effect on social well-being. Third, the three psychosocial variables were found to mediate the relationship between team identification and social well-being.
These finding indicate that the Team Identification-Social Psychological Health Model holds theoretical relevance within the context of domestic sports fan communities. The study makes a theoretical contribution by empirically validating the specific pathways through which team identification influences social well-being. Notably, by applying the perspective of the multiple in-group identity framework, the study employed a consistent and fixed definition of “team”, thereby demonstrating that the concept of team identification can reflect a complex and multifaceted social identity. From a practical standpoint, the findings highlight the need for sports organizations and clubs to foster a culture that enhances social and emotional engagement among fans. Furthermore, from a marketing perspective, the study suggests that emotion-driven approaches that strengthen emotional bonds and a sense of social belonging between teams and fans, as well as among fans themselves, may be particularly effective.