Investigation of Aggressive and Hostile Behavior Among Fans of Football Teams

This study aims to investigate the psychological factors underlying aggressive and hostile behaviors among football fans. The research was conducted on 450 participants who identified as supporters of Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, or Galatasaray, selected from three regions in Turkey: Marmaris, Bodrum, and Kuşadası. The data were collected using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and analyzed via the SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Findings revealed that aggression levels varied significantly across demographic and psychological variables. Male fans, younger individuals, unemployed participants, and those willing to attend away games displayed higher levels of aggressive tendencies. Among the clubs, Beşiktaş supporters exhibited the highest aggression scores, followed by Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray fans. A negative correlation was found between age and aggression, as well as between education level and aggression. The results highlight the influence of sociocultural, demographic, and behavioral factors on aggression in the context of football fandom. Preventive strategies involving education, media responsibility, and club-fan collaboration are recommended to reduce aggressive behaviors in sports environments.