Identity Management Strategies, Sports Fandom and Para-social Relationships in Cricket Fans

Authors

  • Dr Vicar Solomon Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Jhang, Jhang, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4552-9384
  • Faiz Younas Lecturer, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7086-0538
  • Sana Saeed MSc Scholar, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v3i2.105

Keywords:

Basking in Reflected Glory, Celebrity-persona Identification, Cricket Fans, Cutting off Reflected Failure, Pakistan, Para Social Relationships, Sports Spectatorship

Abstract

The current research investigated the relationship among identity management strategies, sports fandom and para-social relationships in cricket fans. It was hypothesized that there would be a relationship among identity management strategies, sports fandom and para-social relationships while sports fandom would mediate between identity management strategies and para-social relationships. By employing a cross-sectional correlational research design, a sample of (N = 120) cricket fans with an age range of (18-30) years (M = 22.34, SD = 2.62) was recruited through non-probability purposive sampling technique. Study variables were assessed through the Basking in Reflected Glory Scale (Spinda, 2009), Cutting off Reflected Failure Scale (Spinda, 2009), Sport Spectator Identification Scale (Gwinner & Swanson, 2003) and Celebrity-Persona Identification Scale (Brown & Bocarnea, 2007). Results revealed a positive association among all study variables while sports fandom was found to partially mediate identity management strategies and para-social relationships in cricket fans. Findings have interdisciplinary implications within the fields of group dynamics; sports sciences, sociology and social psychology as it is a research-based, empirical addition to existing indigenous literature regarding cricket that is the most popular game in the country. Also, it highlights the respective association and predictive value of the study variables which can be further investigated across other games, as well as across disciplines. 

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Published

2022-06-30

How to Cite

Solomon, D. V., Younas, F., & Saeed, S. (2022). Identity Management Strategies, Sports Fandom and Para-social Relationships in Cricket Fans. Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology, 3(2), 218–229. https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v3i2.105

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022): Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Dr Vicar Solomon, Faiz Younas, Sana Saeed

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