Winning Team Fans Get Boost in Self-Esteem.

• Position: ATHLETIC ARENA

Fans of a college football team that wins a big game could experience a boost in self-esteem that lasts at least two days after the event, suggests a study from Ohio State University, Columbus, and the University of Alabama, Tuskaloosa. On the other hand, fans of the losing team will not necessarily suffer a loss in their self-esteem following the game, although their mood may sour.

The key for fans of both teams may be the positive effects of watching with friends. "Just feeling connected to others helps sustain self-esteem," says study coauthor Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, OSU professor of communication.

"So, for fans of the winning team, the social aspect of sharing the victory with each other leads to a self-esteem boost. For fans of the losing...