Research on the pathways through which rural large-scale sporting events enhance the well-being of local residents-a grounded theory study based on Guizhou, China.

The rapid development of large-scale rural sporting events has created important opportunities to enhance the multidimensional well-being of rural residents. Taking residents as the primary subjects of analysis, this study adopts a qualitative approach to explore how sporting events become embedded in rural life and how they shape residents' emotional experiences and everyday practices. Drawing on the Cognitive-Affective Processing System theory and grounded theory, and using Guizhou Province as the empirical context, this study develops a localized explanatory framework for understanding how large-scale rural sporting events influence residents' well-being. Based on in-depth interviews with 30 local residents, the findings show that this process follows a dynamic logic in which local contexts trigger cognitive and emotional responses, which in turn stimulate behavioral participation. This mechanism is realized through multiple pathways, including the reconstruction of local identity, the elicitation of positive emotions, and the promotion of social interaction. Methodologically, this study combines grounded theory with a cognitive-affective perspective. Theoretically, it reveals the complex and dynamic meaning-construction process through which sporting events contribute to residents' well-being. By offering a qualitative interpretation grounded in local experience, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the socio-psychological role of sport in rural revitalization.