Chinese athletes in ethnic minorities: Social support, ethnic identity, pride, and subjective well-being

Abstract

We delved into the intricate relationships of social support, ethnic identity, pride, and subjective well-being among Chinese athletes who belong to an ethnic minority. The study's focus was on 877 athletes from diverse economic regions in China, who participated in the 11th Zhengzhou National Minority Traditional Sports Games in 2019. The results showed that social support was positively correlated with ethnic identity, pride, and subjective well-being among Chinese athletes from ethnic minorities. Social support directly influenced the athletes' subjective well-being, as well as indirectly impacting it by affecting their ethnic identity and/or pride. By addressing critical research gaps, this study has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of well-being within the context of cultural diversity and sports participation. The insights derived from this study can inform interventions aimed at enhancing the overall experiences and achievements of athletes in ethnic minorities.