The structural model of the relationships between psychological stress and sports fanaticism: An applied study using structural equation modeling (SEM)

Abstract

     This study aimed to identify the structural model of the relationships between psychological distress and sports fanaticism among a sample of students at King Abdulaziz University. The researchers employed a descriptive-analytical approach using the structural equation model (SEM) to test the validity of the hypotheses concerning the relationships between the latent and observed variables. The study sample consisted of 466 students from King Abdulaziz University, including 215 male students and 251 female students, selected through a simple random sampling method. To measure the study variables, the researchers used the short version of the Sports Fanaticism Scale developed by Jouad and Harez (2014), as well as the short form of the DASS-21 by Lovibond and Lovibond (1995), translated by Abu Zaid and Abdel Hamid (2023), to assess psychological distress. The results provided empirical support for the first proposed structural model, which demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit indices. In this model, psychological distress was found to have a significant effect on sports fanaticism. The second proposed structural model, which also showed acceptable goodness-of-fit indices, examined the effect of sports fanaticism on psychological distress. Based on the study’s findings, the researchers proposed several recommendations aimed at reducing sports fanaticism and its associated psychological effects. These included developing therapeutic and preventive programs to address sports fanaticism and offering psychological counseling services grounded in the first structural model.  Additionally, psychological intervention programs were recommended based on the second structural model, which indicated that sports fanaticism contributes to psychological distress. These recommendations aim to address the psychological consequences of fanatical behavior and promote both mental and physical well-being.