Sport Spectatorship and Life Satisfaction: A Multicountry Investigation

in Journal of Sport Management

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Yuhei InoueUniversity of Minnesota

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Mikihiro SatoJames Madison University

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Kevin FiloGriffith University

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James DuFlorida State University

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Daniel C. FunkTemple University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2016-0295
Keywords:
public policy; social identity theory; spectators; sport events; sport fans; team identification
First Published Online:
07 Jun 2017
In Print:
Volume 31: Issue 4
Page Range:
419–432
Restricted access

Elite and professional sport events have been recognized as potential mechanisms to enhance well-being. This multicountry study investigates how engagement in such events, behaviorally through live spectating and psychologically through team identification, is associated with life satisfaction. Data from Australia (N = 268) revealed a positive association between live spectating and life satisfaction through a two-wave design measuring live spectating and life satisfaction in separate surveys. Data from the United States (N = 564) confirmed the live spectating–life satisfaction relationship found in Study 1. Additionally, Study 2 revealed individuals with higher levels of team identification perceived greater emotional support from other fans, and this perception, in turn, predicted life satisfaction. Our findings provide sport managers with implications for positioning appeals in support of sport programs and designing events that facilitate engagement to promote life satisfaction in the community.

Inoue is with the School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Sato is with the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Filo is with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Du is with the Department of Sport Management, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Funk is with the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

Address author correspondence to Yuhei Inoue at yinoue@umn.edu.
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