Understanding Sports Fandom and Psychosocial Wellbeing in Cancer Survivors: A Conceptual Framework

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33043/vqj46efd2tv

Keywords:

cancer survivorship; psychosocial wellbeing; social isolation; sports fandom

Abstract

In this conceptual paper, sports fandom is proposed as being a possible resource to improve cancer survivors' psychosocial well-being. The idea to explore this relationship is driven by the two primary factors. The first is that the number of cancer survivors in the United States is increasing, and cancer survivors are living longer with cancer-related psychosocial difficulties. The second is that a portion of adults in the United States identify as sports fans, and studies have shown that engaging in sports fandom can positively impact psychosocial wellbeing. Despite this, the relationship between sports fandom and cancer survivor psychosocial wellbeing does not appear to have been studied significantly. A brief introduction to the research about cancer survivor psychosocial wellbeing and psychosocial benefits of sports fandom is provided. The Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment theory of wellbeing is presented as the basis for a conceptual model of how sports fandom might support improved hedonic, eudaimonic, and social wellbeing among cancer survivors. The potential implications of further research into this relationship could identify sports fandom as a possible innovative, non-medical resource to address social isolation and promote long, healthy, and productive lives among cancer survivors.

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Author Biographies

Ryan Taylor , Sacred Heart University

Ryan Taylor is a first year PhD student at Sacred Heart University School of Social Work. 

Pamela Valera, Sacred Heart University

Dr. Pamela Valera is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Sacred Heart University. Before her faculty appointment, she was an assistant professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health. She previously served as the PhD Director and the Dual-Degree MSW/MPH concentration lead at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Dr. Valera received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of San Francisco, an MSW from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. In addition to her academic background, Dr. Valera completed a three-year NIMH T32 postdoctoral research fellowship in HIV Prevention and Human Sexuality at the Columbia University/New York Psychiatric Institute, as well as clinical training in cancer health from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and also an NHLBI R25 Program to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) fellowship from SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
Dr. Valera’s research focuses on the drivers of health inequities in marginalized groups, including people living with HIV, those at risk for HIV, and people involved in the criminal justice system. She is also passionate about training and helping community partners increase their capacity and established the Community Health Justice Lab (http://www.chjl.org). This initiative aims to train the next generation of first-generation college students and diverse students in the social determinants of health and implementation science research. The goal is to address inequities in health promotion activities among medically underserved and marginalized populations. 

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Published

2026-07-22

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Sport Social Work Journal

Section

Practice Notes

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ryan Taylor , Pamela Valera

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