The Mediating Effect of Social Connectedness in the Relationship Between K-Pop Fandom Identity and Mental Health

K-pop has become a global phenomenon that has attracted a loyal group of individuals to join their fandom . Their fanaticism may appear enthusiastic about K-pop idols; however, K-pop fandom membership is also presumed to benefit mental health. In the present study, the researchers aimed to answer if K-pop fandom identity can predict mental health, specifically subjective well-being and depression. Moreover, the researchers aimed to identify whether social connectedness could mediate the relationship between K-pop fandom identity and subjective well-being and depression. The researchers hypothesized that one’s K-pop fandom identity can positively influence one’s subjective well-being and negatively influence one’s depression due to the mediation of social connectedness as a psychological resource. Using data from 425 K-pop fans, the researchers conducted linear regression and mediation analyses. The results revealed that K-pop fandom identity significantly predicted subjective well-being. Furthermore, social connectedness fully mediated the relationship between K-pop fandom identity and subjective well-being. Additionally, K-pop fandom identity also directly predicted lower levels of depression, but social connectedness was not correlated with depression; hence, it was dropped from the mediation model. The implications of these findings and directions for future studies are elaborated on in their respective sections.