Psychic income and social capital among host nation residents: a pre post analysis of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Following a growing focus on the social impacts of mega sport events over the past decade, this study examined perceptions of psychic income and social capital among South African residents prior to, and following, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Psychic income is a measure of event related pride/euphoria and social capital is a proxy for social cohesion. Using a quasi experimental trend design, residents of five host cities were surveyed three months pre event (n 1749) and eight months post event (n 2020) ANOVA, MANOVA and MANCOVA were used to evaluate the data over time. Psychic income significantly increased from pre to post event; males and Black South Africans rated psychic income significantly higher. Three social capital dimensions decreased and two exhibited no change post event; Black and younger South Africans perceived higher social capital levels. The social utility of mega events, the concept of event related legacy, and the operationalization of social impact and data collection time frames for future studies are discussed.