ESP-4105

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2025-10-28

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Vol. 10 No. 10 (2025): Published

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How to Cite

Weitang Li, Zhiyong Liu, & Hokun Yi. (2025). Cultural identity and symbolic perception: A psychosocial study of bay area sports symbols in the 15th national games. Environment and Social Psychology, 10(10), ESP-4105. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i10.4105

Cultural identity and symbolic perception: A psychosocial study of bay area sports symbols in the 15th national games

Weitang Li

Department of Physical Education, Kunsan National University, 558, Daehak ro, Gunsan city, Jeollabuk do, Korea

Zhiyong Liu

Department of Physical Education, Kunsan National University, 558, Daehak ro, Gunsan city, Jeollabuk do, Korea

Hokun Yi

Department of Physical Education, Kunsan National University, 558, Daehak ro, Gunsan city, Jeollabuk do, Korea


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i10.4105


Keywords: Cultural identity; symbolic perception; sports symbols; psychosocial mechanisms; National Games; Greater Bay Area

Abstract

Mega-sporting events in China have long been utilized to enhance national identity and regional integration but their symbolic reception is different in different cultural contexts. The 15th National Games, which were co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, offered a rare chance to explore how sports symbols are used as psychosocial mediators of identity in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The purpose of this study was to examine how much the emblems, mascots and slogans contributed to the formation of cultural identity in the three regions. A mixed methods study was used with a stratified survey of 600 residents, factor analysis, multiple regression modeling, and thematic analysis of open ended responses. Results demonstrated that there were also distinct regional variations: Guangdong had the highest symbolic alignment (M = 3.81), Hong Kong the lowest (M = 3.06), and Macao an intermediate score (M = 3.50). The most significant predictors were media exposure (β =.279) and cultural participation (β =.208) whereas the pride in Guangdong, skepticism in Hong Kong and moderate acceptance in Macao were found in qualitative data. The implications of the findings are that although sports symbols provide a sense of cultural cohesion, the effects are not uniform, and culturally sensitive approaches should be used to enhance inclusive identity-building in multi-regional settings.

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