The Dark Side of Passion: Fanaticism, Identity, and Collective Behavior Among Indonesian Football Supporters

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30872/pnkr1m35

Keywords:

fanaticism, football supporters, teenagers, favorite clubs, identity

Abstract

Fanaticism is characterized by excessive emotional attachment to a particular object or group. This study aimed to identify the dominant aspects of football supporter fanaticism and describe the demographic characteristics and club preferences of football supporters in Indonesia. A descriptive-analytical quantitative study with a cross-sectional survey design was conducted involving 314 football supporters. Data were collected using an online questionnaire based on Goddard's theory of fanaticism, modified by Prahesti et al  (2019), with good reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.807). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The results showed that interest and love for the club (39.44%) and personal and group attitudes (38.07%) were the dominant aspects of fanaticism, whereas family support (10.60%) contributed the least. Most respondents were male (78.98%), teenagers aged 15–25 years (65.61%), and demonstrated a high level of fanaticism (62.74%). Inferential analyses further revealed that male supporters demonstrated significantly higher scores on interest and love for the club and length of engagement compared to female supporters, whereas fanaticism aspects were largely stable across age groups. International football clubs were more widely supported than Indonesian clubs, with Manchester United emerging as the most supported club. These findings indicate that football supporter fanaticism in Indonesia is primarily driven by emotional attachment and social identification within supporter communities, whereas globalization and football club branding influence supporters' club preferences.

Fanatisme merupakan keterikatan emosional yang berlebihan terhadap suatu objek atau kelompok. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi aspek-aspek dominan yang membentuk fanatisme suporter sepak bola serta mendeskripsikan karakteristik demografis dan preferensi klub suporter sepak bola di Indonesia. Penelitian menggunakan metode kuantitatif deskriptif-analitik dengan desain survei cross-sectional yang melibatkan 314 suporter sepak bola. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner daring berdasarkan teori fanatisme Goddard yang dimodifikasi oleh Prahesti et al (2019) dengan reliabilitas yang baik (Cronbach's α = 0,807). Analisis dilakukan menggunakan statistik deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa minat dan rasa cinta terhadap klub (39,44%) serta sikap pribadi dan kelompok (38,07%) merupakan aspek dominan pembentuk fanatisme, sedangkan dukungan keluarga (10,60%) memberikan kontribusi paling rendah. Sebagian besar responden berjenis kelamin laki-laki (78,98%), berusia remaja 15–25 tahun (65,61%), dan memiliki tingkat fanatisme yang tinggi (62,74%). Analisis inferensial lebih lanjut mengungkapkan bahwa pendukung pria menunjukkan skor yang jauh lebih tinggi dalam minat dan kecintaan pada klub serta lamanya keterlibatan dibandingkan pendukung wanita, sementara aspek fanatisme sebagian besar stabil di berbagai kelompok usia. Klub sepak bola internasional lebih banyak didukung dibandingkan klub Indonesia, dengan Manchester United sebagai klub yang paling banyak didukung. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa fanatisme suporter sepak bola di Indonesia terutama dipengaruhi oleh keterikatan emosional dan identitas sosial dalam komunitas suporter, sementara globalisasi dan kekuatan merek klub membentuk preferensi terhadap klub yang didukung.

Author Biographies

  • Amin Akbar, State University of Padang
    Departmen of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology
  • Muhammad Izha Afdwikki, State University of Padang
    Departmen of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology
  • Firunika Intan Cahyani, State University of Padang
    Departmen of Sports Science, Faculty of Sports Science
  • Zulakbal Abd Karim, Sultan Idris Education University
    Departmen of Sports Coaching, Faculty of Sports Sains and Coaching

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Published

2026-10-05