关键词: 社交媒体使用, 老年体育迷, 球队认同, 孤独感, 集体自尊

Abstract: Using social identity theory as a lens for examination, 148 adults aged 55 years or older were surveyed regarding their use of social media for sport-related content and interaction. Relationships between this form of social media use and team identification, loneliness, and collective self-esteem were tested. Results showed that while social media use positively predicted collective self-esteem, no relationship was found between social media use and loneliness. Moreover, team identification positively predicted people's sport-based social media use. Theoretical and applied ramifications are both offered, along with a call for increased scholarly attention for this age demographic within sports media studies.

Key words: social media use, older fans, team identification, loneliness, collective self-esteem