Dark personality traits and soccer fanaticism: the mediating role of attachment styles
SOCCER & SOCIETY, vol.26, pp.19-30, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 26
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1080/14660970.2024.2358825
- Journal Name: SOCCER & SOCIETY
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, SportDiscus
- Page Numbers: pp.19-30
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Soccer fanaticism is a widespread form of violence, and its history goes back decades.In this study, the multiple mediator roles of attachment styles (ASs) in the relationship between dark personality traits (DPTs: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and soccer fans' fanaticism (FFF) levels were examined. Three hundred twenty-nine soccer fans of 10 Turkish teams competing in various leagues,constituting 205 maleand 124 femalefans, participated in the study. The data were analysed with the Hayes model 4 using the DDS, the FSFF, and RSQ.Parallel mediation analysis showed that only the psychopathy sub-dimension of DPT positively affected FFF significantly. Similarly, the preoccupied attachment (PA) style positively predicted FFF scores. A 1-unit increase in PA scores increased a 0.21-unit decrease in the FFF scores. Besides, the PA mediated the relationship between DPT and FF negatively.These results were interpreted as inadequate interventions for gaining positive self-esteem and internalizing social rules during childhood and adolescence at the root of fanaticism.