Shaping Social Identity in National Teams
Key Psychological and Contextual Determinants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51224/SRXIV.532Keywords:
Social identity, individual level, social categorization, elite sport, team sportAbstract
Group dynamics are fundamental to performance in elite team sports, yet the mechanisms underpinning social identity formation in such contexts remain insufficiently understood. This qualitative study examines the key determinants shaping super elite athletes’ self-categorization as team members or individuals. Uniquely, this research draws on an unprecedented sample of super-elite athletes from multiple national teams across all major team sports, potentially making it the largest qualitative study of its kind in this domain. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 152 athletes from 10 French national teams in rugby union and seven, basketball 5×5 and 3×3, handball and volleyball. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. We found that social identity in elite team sports is dynamically shaped by interpersonal bonds, intraindividual psychological dynamics, and situational influences, including competitive and training contexts. Shared emotional experiences, collective achievements, and visible commitment to team life emerged as key mechanisms fostering a strong sense of belonging and reinforcing team identification. Conversely, perceived intra-group distinctions, specialized roles, and individualized responsibilities heightened self-categorization as an autonomous entity, potentially undermining group cohesion. These findings emphasize the necessity of strategically designing team environments to cultivate a robust social identity, which can be compromised by individual priorities such as media exposure, career ambitions, and financial incentives. Furthermore, they highlight the critical need to develop identity competencies, enabling athletes to effectively navigate the tension between individual aspirations and collective belonging in high-performance settings.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Julien Pellet, Gérat Pierre, Harabi Sofiène, Campo Mickaël (Author)
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