Newson, Martha ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7700-9562, Aytaç, Muhammed Bilgehan and Peitz, Linus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7256-6968 (2025) Club representation in the national team: effects on identity fusion and intra-vs intergroup attitudes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 82:103001. ISSN 1469-0292 (Print), 1878-5476 (Online) (doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.103001)

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Abstract

Identity fusion describes a psychological state in which personal and social identities are deeply aligned, fostering strong bonds with a group and influencing attitudes and behaviors, including in international contexts. However, how fusion to local (relational) and national (extended) groups interacts remains less understood. We investigated this among Turkish soccer fans (N = 379) using an experimental design to test whether local club representation in the national team influences national team fusion and behavioral intentions toward other fans. Fans viewed lineups for an upcoming international match that included either more of their local club's players or their rival's. Participants who saw a lineup dominated by rival players were less fused with the national team. Fusion with the national team was a key predictor of prosocial intentions toward the ingroup (fellow Türkiye fans). Mediation analysis showed that overrepresentation of rival players indirectly reduced ingroup prosociality via national team fusion. Hostility toward the outgroup was significantly associated with fusion to the local team, but not with fusion to the national team, nor with club representation.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Deposited by Hollie Storey (GRE ID: hs9595t , E-Print ID: 12614 - PGRTA, School of Human Sciences) on behalf of authors. - MP
Uncontrolled Keywords:	identity fusion, national team, prosocial intentions, outgroup hostility, extended fusion
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Inequalities Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	15 Oct 2025 15:53
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51233

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