Depersonalized Harmony and Sustained Belonging: Shaping Online Collective Identities in a University Sports Team

This study investigates the role of digital spaces in shaping and maintaining the collective identity around a university shuai-jiao (traditional Chinese wrestling) team, a niche sport with deep cultural roots but limited visibility. Utilizing symbolic interactionism and self-categorization theory, the study explores the dynamics and evolution of the team’s social media chat group, which includes current and former team members. The results offer insights into how identity and relationships are sustained over time and beyond physical interactions. The findings reveal that depersonalized harmony plays a crucial role in fostering group cohesion, as members prioritize group unity by avoiding divisive topics. Additionally, former members’ ongoing engagement through the chat group highlights how engaging via a digital platform preserves their sense of belonging and athletic identity. These mechanisms ensure the transmission of cultural heritage and support the team’s continuity. This research contributes to understanding online collective identity formation by emphasizing the importance of maintaining both common bonds and identity in niche sports. It offers practical insights into how sports organizations can use digital tools to sustain participation, build resilience, and ensure cultural continuity, even in the absence of face-to-face interactions.