Psychic income benefits of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: comparison of host community pre- and post-Games perceptions

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine psychic income perceptions of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games before and after the event. Data were collected among Rio residents by using a pre-Games (n = 350) and post-Games design (n = 403). The cross-sectional data were assessed over time and the results gathered through a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for assessing the psychometric properties of the 7-factor scale. Subsequently, MANOVA and a series of ANOVA tests were performed to analyse the differences in perceptions before and after the Games. The CFA results showed factorial stability of the psychic income model in both periods, while the mean comparisons revealed significant differences in all psychic dimensions in the short term. Results indicated that resident perceptions of psychic income tend to increase from pre- to post-event. This study evidences the psychological effects of hosting a sport mega-event, leading to a better comprehension of how local communities perceive the event’s impact within a short time frame.