Fandoms are usually known for being malicious spaces full of fights and toxicity. However, they are actually a place that many people consider their comfort space and a way of escaping reality. It is undeniable that belonging to a fandom that will be part of one’s life will have an impact on their mental health.
The fact that people can find others with similar interests and form a community based on that is very beneficial for them, psychologically speaking. Us, as human beings, are always looking for some place to belong to. Haslam et al state that being part of these communities gives meaning to our lives, bringing us joy and making us feel that we are accepted, resulting positive for our mental health [1].
A huge amount of people a life of stress and find in the fan communities a safe space where they can take their minds off things while talking about their passions. Being able to relax while talking about their interests certainly affects positively to have mental stability.
What is more, many people who participated in our survey mentioned the fact that when you belong to a fandom there is no judgement. In society’s eyes, fans are generally thought to be weird people who obsess over all types of media and celebrities. For this reason, when they have the opportunity to talk to others who are like them, they know that they are not going to be judged, just like they will not judge others. Acceptance is one of the pillars that make up fan communities.
Nevertheless, not everything that shines is made out of gold. In the end, fandoms are formed by people, and there are many awful individuals out there. Toxicity is the order of the day in fan communities, giving a bad reputation to those who belong to them. There are many fandoms that are known for their toxic fans, making people reluctant to engage with these fandoms. The best thing one can do in order to have a satisfactory experience within fandoms is to avoid the people who behave inappropriately and just navigate the world of fan communities peacefully.
There were people in our survey who claimed that toxicity is what kept them from getting more into some fandoms, or that it is what has made them leave them. In these cases, it is the rude fans that have made a negative impact on their mental health, making it impossible for them to stay in those communities. However, others said that, in the end, belonging to these communities was worth it and that their mental health had been improved because of the benefits fandoms bring.
To conclude, belonging in fandoms has both its benefits and its drawbacks. Even if it can affect mental health negatively, if fans stay out of toxic spaces by not interacting with malicious people and having a good balance of life and fanatism, they will be able to just enjoy what they like and they will most likely have a pleasant experience in these fan communities.
References
1. Haslam, S., Jetten, J., Postmes, T. and Haslam, C. (2009). ‘Social Identity, Health and Well‐Being: An Emerging Agenda for Applied Psychology’. Applied Psychology, Vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 1-23.