Pentangular dimensions of Chinese adolescents' idol worship

Building on theory and research, a pentangular conceptualization specifies dimensions of idol worship in terms of identification, romanticization, idealization, intimatization, and commodification. Validation of a measurement of idol worship is the endeavor of the present study of 1,641 Chinese secondary school students. In demonstrating the convergent and discriminant validity of the measurement, findings verify a negative relationship between idol worship and attachment to the chum (i.e., best friend). Findings also indicate predictive validity in relation to membership in a fans' club and gender. Accordingly, the member or the girl is generally higher in idol worship than is the nonmember or the boy. © 2011 A B Academic Publishers Printed in Great Britain.