The Role of Social Interaction in Predicting Solidarity among Football Supporters in Malang City

Abstract

Football supporters are not merely individuals who share an interest in and support the same football club; they also constitute social groups that develop interpersonal relationships through various forms of interaction, both inside and outside football matches. In the context of football supporter communities in Malang City, social interaction represents an important mechanism through which a sense of togetherness, group identity, and solidarity can be developed. This study aims to examine the role of social interaction in predicting solidarity among football supporters in Malang City. The study employs a quantitative approach with a correlational research design. The participants are football supporters residing in Malang City who are actively involved in supporter communities or activities related to supporting football clubs. Data are collected using social interaction and solidarity scales developed based on the theoretical dimensions of each construct. The data are analyzed using simple linear regression to examine the contribution of social interaction to supporter solidarity. The study is expected to demonstrate that social interaction plays a positive role in solidarity, indicating that more intensive and constructive social interactions among group members are associated with stronger solidarity. The findings are expected to contribute theoretically to the development of social psychology research, particularly in the areas of group dynamics, social interaction, group identity, and solidarity within football supporter communities. Practically, the findings may provide useful insights for supporter communities and relevant stakeholders in developing positive patterns of interaction, strengthening group cohesion, and promoting a more inclusive and constructive football supporter culture.

Keywords: social interaction, solidarity, football supporters, group dynamics, Malang City.