Understanding the positive social psychological benefits of sport team identification: The team identification-social psychological health model.

Abstract

This article presents a theoretical model designed to account for the positive relationship between identification with a local sport team and social psychological health. This model, labeled the Team Identification-Social Psychological Health Model, predicts that team identification facilitates well-being by increasing social connections for the fan. Two forms of social connections are developed through team identification: enduring and temporary. Although the enduring and temporary social connections are expected to result in improved well-being, it is predicted that this relationship will be moderated by threats to social identity and efforts to cope with the threats. The social connections resulting from team identification are expected to impact both state (via increases in temporary social connections) and trait well-being (via enduring connections). Finally, because research indicates that group and team identification are more closely related to social well-being than personal well-being, temporary and enduring social connections are predicted to have their greatest impact on social psychological health.

The Multiple In-group Identity Framework

“…Figure 1, relational groups depicted in B and C form through consumers sharing a common subgroup or superordinate identity, respectively. Sharing team identification fosters an increased number of temporary and enduring social connections with other team supporters (de Groot & Robinson, 2008;Wann, 2006;Wann et al, 2011). In a biographical study of one Australian Rules Football supporter, de Groot and Robinson (2008) noted that the study participant developed relationships with a larger network of Collingwood supporters on reaching the attachment stage of the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) (Funk & James, 2001).…”

“…Evidence for the positive impact of superordinate identification on social and psychological health provides strong support for the benefits of consuming team sport (Branscombe & Wann, 1991;Inoue, Funk, Wann, Yoshida, & Nakazawa, 2015;Wann, 2006;Wann & Polk, 2007;Wann et al, 2011). The MIIF provides an avenue to advance the team identification-social psychological health model (TISPH).…”

“…As a result, we know that team identification influences a range of variables, including social-psychological health (Wann, 2006), brand equity (Boyle & Magnusson, 2007), and match attendance (Wann & Branscombe, 1993). However, consumers do not just identify with sport teams (Heere & James, 2007;Katz & Heere, 2013;Tyler, 2013).…”

Brand Identification Model of Sport Industry (Case Study: Iranian Soccer Pro League)

“…For example, a direct positive relationship has been confirmed between identification and consuming behavior of fans. Specially, it is believed that there is a significant positive relationship between team identification and mental health of fans [23,26].…”

“…Team identification refers to a mental relationship between team and fans [24]. or the degree of emotional or even aggressive behavior of fans [25] it is an instrument to measure subjective well-being of fans and the degree of mental relationship between fans and teams or certain players [26]. Through identification, fans consider the success or failure of the team as their own success of failure and the team reflects inner characteristics of fans.…”