The Psychological Basis of Fanship and Its Repercussions on Well-Being

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between loneliness, self-esteem, fanship, celebrity worship and well-being. A survey was conducted on a sample of which the majority were Lebanese youths. Statistical analyses yielded varying results: well-being did not correlate with fanship or entertainment-social celebrity worship. On the other hand, self-esteem was found to negatively correlate with entertainment-social and borderline-pathological celebrity worship. Loneliness was positively correlated with entertainment-social and borderline-pathological celebrity worship. Loneliness and self-esteem did not predict fanship but did predict celebrity worship. Moreover, women reported higher levels of celebrity worship than men. Furthermore, fans of celebrities reported higher levels of celebrity worship and fanship in comparison with other kinds of fans. These results aim to paint a clearer picture of fanship free of bias while simultaneously encouraging individuals to recognize potential for pathology.