This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Branscombe, N. R. Articles by Wann, D. L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Positive Social and Self Concept Consequences of Sports Team Identification

Department of Psychology University of Kansas

Daniel L. Wann

Department of Psychology University of Kansas

As a result of increased geographic mobility, industrialization, and the like, traditional social and community ties have declined. Conversely, sports spectatorship has continued to flourish. We argue that strong identification with a specific sports team provides a buffer from feelings of depression and alienation, and at the same time, fosters feelings of belongingness and self worth. In effect, sports team identification replaces more traditional family and community-based attachments to the larger social structure. Three studies find support for these notions, using basketball and baseball fans. The relationship between degree of team identification and team success was also examined; it was only significant for individuals who identify with teams geographically removed from themselves. Discussion focuses on the positive implications of sports team identification for self-esteem maintenance and the social ties it creates.

Journal of Sport & Social Issues, Vol. 15, No. 2, 115-127 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/019372359101500202


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. R. Swanson, J. C. Davis, and Yushan Zhao Art for Art's Sake? An Examination of Motives for Arts Performance Attendance Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, June 1, 2008; 37(2): 300 - 323. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. E. J. Doosje, N. R. Branscombe, R. Spears, and A. S. R. Manstead Antecedents and Consequences of Group-Based Guilt: The Effects of Ingroup Identification Group Processes Intergroup Relations, July 1, 2006; 9(3): 325 - 338. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. T. Schmitt, N. R. Branscombe, D. Kobrynowicz, and S. Owen Perceiving Discrimination Against One's Gender Group has Different Implications for Well-Being in Women and Men Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 2002; 28(2): 197 - 210. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. P. Pritchard, M. E. Havitz, and D. R. Howard Analyzing the Commitment-Loyalty Link in Service Contexts Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, July 1, 1999; 27(3): 333 - 348. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Dietz-Uhler Defensive Reactions to Group-Relevant Information Group Processes Intergroup Relations, January 1, 1999; 2(1): 17 - 29. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. L. Wann and N. R. Branscombe Emotional Responses to the Sports Page Journal of Sport and Social Issues, March 1, 1992; 16(1): 49 - 64. [Abstract]