Fandom and Psychological Enhancement: Effects of Sport Team Identification and Imagined Interaction on Self-Esteem and Management of Social Behaviors

Abstract

Imagined interactions (IIs) as used by sport team fans were examined in conjunction with sport team identification (STI) and with behavioral outcomes and psychological effects. Sport team fans more strongly influenced by family in the STI process utilize IIs for catharsis, conflict linkage, relational maintenance, and rehearsal. Furthermore, sport team fans affected by media popularity employ IIs for catharsis, and sport team fans swayed by geography make use of IIs for relational maintenance. Sport team fans predisposed toward using IIs for catharsis, conflict linkage, and relational maintenance report higher self-esteem. Identified sport team fans who use catharsis, conflict linkage, and relational maintenance report a greater inclination to commit negative social behaviors as a result of team performance. Conversely, those who use IIs for rehearsal have a decreased tendency to commit undesirable social behaviors. II functions partially mediate the direct association between STI factors and outcomes, whereby more negative behaviors and positive psychological effects such as self-esteem represent the outcomes.

Coping With Tragedy via Reflected Glory: How the Houston Astros’ World Series Win Contributed to Locals’ Process of Overcoming Hurricane Harvey

“…Fans higher in team identification tend to BIRG more and are less likely to cut-off reflected failure (CORF), or distance themselves from the team when it is unsuccessful (Wann & Branscombe, 1990). Additionally, a preponderance of research has demonstrated that fans who BIRG and CORF are emotionally and behaviorally affected, including their moods and outlook upon unrelated events (see Table 1; Berument, Ceylan, & Onar, 2013;Hirt, Zillmann, Erickson, & Kennedy, 1992;Keaton, et al, 2014;Knoll, et al, 2014;Schweitzer, Zillmann, Weaver, & Luttrell, 1992;Wann, 2006).…”

“…As a seemingly universal psychological processing, the positive outcomes from BIRGing align with the success of one's team. For example, if one's team wins, a fan's positive outcome might include overall mood increases (Knoll et al, 2014), higher self-ascribed competencies (Lanter & Blackburn, 2004;Wann, 1994;Wann & Pierce, 2005), higher self-esteem (Keaton, et al, 2014;Wann et al, 1999), and other effects (see Table 1). Likewise, if one's team "fails" or "loses," there are negative outcomes such as a negative outlook on the world (Berument et al, 2013;Knoll et al, 2014;Schweitzer et al, 1992) or higher levels of loneliness, depression, or other negative emotions (Wann, et al, 2003;Wann et al, 1999).…”

“…Thus, through the lens of reflected glory, the study demonstrates how a sports team's success may help a community emotionally cope with recent tragic events, particularly those impacting potential fans. While previous research has demonstrated the impact of a team's success on fans' emotions such as overall mood and self-esteem (Keaton, Gearhart, & Honeycutt, 2014;Knoll, Schramm, & Schallhorn, 2014;Wann, Inman, Ensor, Gates, & Caldwell, 1999), this study seeks to understand whether the impact of the Astros' World Series win impacted local's feelings of coping with a recent natural disaster. Although some studies have looked at team identification and coping (e.g., Inoue, Wann, Funk, Yoshida, & Nakazawa, 2015), a paucity of research exists in sports media effects evaluating the relationship of a team's success and coping; thus, it is important to address this gap in the research.…”

Identity Formation, Identity Strength, and Self-Categorization as Predictors of Affective and Psychological Outcomes

“…It seems apparent that an outcome such as increased psychological involvement and investment would stem from a stronger psychological connection with a team. Psychological effects are positive and negative, including myriad outcomes such as increased or decreased self-esteem, well-being, pride, self-enhancement, satisfaction, or enjoyment (Branscombe & Wann, 1991;Keaton, Gearhart, & Honeycutt, 2013;Wann, 1994Wann, , 2006aWann, , 2006bWann et al, 1999;Wann et al, 2000). Self-esteem and well-being in particular have been established as outcomes in the body of literature on the Team Identification-Psychological Health model (Wann, 2006b).…”

“…For instance, STI has been found to act as a barrier against feelings of depression and estrangement, especially in situations where individuals have been geographically mobile and the ties to their original community are diminished by distance (Branscombe & Wann, 1991). Furthermore, STI enhances feelings of belonging, self-worth, and positive psychological health (Wann, 2006b), especially when accompanied by self-talk and imagined interaction (Keaton et al, 2013).…”