Predicting Cohesion in a Coacting Sport

Abstract

This study set out to identify' variables that predict the cohesion of coacting teams. Based on Carroni s model, it was hypothesized that cohesion was related to team size, members' satisfaction1 with opportunities provided by team membership, similarity of members, coaches' efforts to foster cohesion, prior team success (National Collegiate Athletic Association ratitigs), existence of team goals, importance of team goals, participation in establishing team goals, intrateam task communication, and prior liking. Subjects were 85 female golfers from 18 Division I intercollegiate teams. Cohesion was assessed by the Group Environment Questionnaire developed by Carron, Widmeyer, and Brawley. Stepwise multiple regression atnalyses revealed that the nine independent variables collectively predicted a significanlt amount of the variance in each of the four aspects of cohesion (R = 56%-72%). The best single predictor of eachl cohesioti aspect was total satisfaction (R = 32%-58%o). Although all of the variables except thle importance coaches placed on task cohesion and similarity of background were significantly related to some aspect of cohesion, some variables were more highly related to task cohesion (e.g., prior performance) and others to social cohesion (e.g., prior liking). Results are discussed in terms of Carron's model and previous research involving interacting teams.