Perceptions Of Team Cohesion Research Articles

The Psychometric Properties of Two Brief Measures of Teamwork in Sport.

In the current study, the structural and external validity of data derived from two shorter versions of the Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sport (MATS) were examined using multilevel analyses. Evidence of model-data fit was shown for both a 5-factor model comprising 19 items (with subscales assessing teamwork preparation, execution, evaluation, adjustments, and management of team maintenance) and a single-factor model comprising five items (providing a global estimate of teamwork). In general, data from both versions were positively and significantly correlated with (and distinct from) athletes' perceptions of team cohesion, collective efficacy, performance satisfaction, enjoyment in their sport, and commitment to their team and their coaches' transformational leadership. The measures appear well suited to detect between-teams differences, as evidenced by intraclass correlation coefficients and acceptable reliability estimates of team-level scores. In summary, the 19-item Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sport-Short and five-item Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sport-Global provide conceptually and psychometrically sound questionnaires to briefly measure teamwork in sport.

Do Perfectionism Traits Predict Team Cohesion and Group Conflict Among Youth Athletes?

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the predictive power of perfectionism on 413 Brazilian athletes' perceptions of team cohesion and conflict. Participants responded to the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2, the Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire, and the Group Conflict Questionnaire. In data analysis, we used Pearson correlations, multiple regression, latent profile analysis (LPA), and multiple analysis of variance. Regression analysis revealed that perfectionistic standards were positively associated with both task and social cohesion (p < .01), while doubts about action were negatively associated with task cohesion (p < .01). Furthermore, concern over mistakes, parental pressure, and doubts about action were positively associated with social conflict (p < .01), and concern over mistakes was positively associated with task conflict (p < .01). LPA revealed two profiles of perfectionism that we termed perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic striving. Perfectionistic striving was positively correlated with social cohesion (p < .001), and perfectionistic concerns were positively correlated with both task conflict (p < .001) and social conflict (p < .001).

ASEST framework: a proposal for improving teamwork by making cohesive software engineering student teams

ABSTRACT Teamwork is an important aspect of software engineering education. This paper presents ASEST (Agile Software Engineers Stick Together), a teaching framework whose aim is to improve teamwork in terms of team performance and team learning by developing team cohesion at the graduate level of software engineering student teams. The basis of ASEST was established by identifying the most current trends in teamwork in software engineering education. The framework itself combines these approaches in a procedure consisting of eight steps through which students are expected to go through. A study of one group of students that applied the ASEST framework indicated that their perceptions of team cohesion, team performance and team learning increased significantly compared with the perceptions of the students in a group that did not use the framework. Also, a survey showed students’ acceptance of our proposal.

Perceived influence of power distance, psychological safety, and team cohesion on team effectiveness

ABSTRACTInterprofessional education needs a stronger theoretical basis informed by the challenges facing collaboration across professions. This study explores the impact of power distance (perception of role hierarchy), on team effectiveness as mediated by team cohesion and psychological safety (believe one can speak up without the fear of negative consequences). Furthermore, it tests for differences between medical and nursing students in these concepts. Final-year medical and nursing students completed a paper survey on study constructs at the end of a three-session, 6-h interprofessional critical care simulation activity. Two hundred and forty-three (76% response rate) retrospective surveys found the relationship between power distance and perceived team effectiveness was mediated by perceptions of team cohesion and psychological safety, suggesting these concepts influence desired interprofessional collaboration. There were no differences between medical and nursing students on study variables. While interprofessional training typically focuses on general attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and on the acquisition and demonstration of knowledge and skills, these findings suggest important team concepts underlying effective collaboration may include perceptions of psychological safety and power distance. These concepts can be key drivers of cohesion and effectiveness during interprofessional simulation exercises and may be targets for future interventions.

A Season-Long Goal-Setting Intervention for Elite Youth Basketball Teams

The current study involved a season-long team goal-setting intervention within an elite youth sport population. Participants were 75 male basketball players (Mage = 16.23 years, SD = 1.40) from 6 teams that were randomly assigned to team goal-setting (n = 3) or no-treatment control (n = 3) conditions. The intervention condition received a 3-stage team goal-setting program throughout the season, whereas no systematic program was delivered to the control teams. All participants completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of team cohesion and motivational climate at 3 time-points throughout the season (beginning, midseason, end-season). Data were first analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance to determine differences in cohesion and motivational climate throughout the season, with pretest scores and age included as covariates. In addition, a series of multiple mediation analyses were conducted to determine whether motivational climate mediated the relationship between preseason and postseason cohesion perceptions. Findings suggest that although perceptions of cohesion remained constant for the control condition teams, those in the intervention condition experienced a decrease throughout the season. In addition, increase in ego-involving climate within the intervention group negatively affected the cohesion perceptions throughout the season; however, task-involving motivational climate decreased for teams in the intervention condition. These results highlight the importance of accounting for additional variables when conducting team-building interventions, and findings are discussed in relation to their implications for the literature, in concert with practical implications and future directions.Lay Summary: This study extends the team-building literature by conducting a season-long goal-setting intervention in elite youth sport. In recognizing previously identified limitations within the field, the intervention involved both direct and indirect delivery methods, was conducted across the entire season, and included additional constructs beyond cohesion and a control condition.

A night float week in a surgical clerkship improves student team cohesion

BackgroundWe hypothesize that night float rotations in the third-year surgical clerkship improve student learning and perceptions of team cohesion. MethodsA 1-week night float (NF) system was implemented during the 2013 to 2014 academic year for students. Each student completed 1 week of NF with the Trauma/Emergency General Surgery service. The Perceived Cohesion Scale survey was prospectively administered and National Board of Medical Examiners academic performance retrospectively reviewed. ResultsWe surveyed 70 medical students, 37 traditional call and 33 NF students, with 91% response rate. Perception of team cohesion increased significantly, without perceived loss of educational benefit. Examination scores increased significantly comparing pre- and postintervention groups, with this trend continuing in the following academic year. ConclusionsA week-long student NF experience significantly improved perception of team cohesion and standardized examination results. A dedicated period of NF during the surgical clerkship may improve its overall educational value.

Coaches' Perceptions of Team Cohesion in Paralympic Sports.

The purpose of this study was to investigate Paralympic coaches' perceptions of team cohesion. Seven head coaches of summer and winter Canadian Paralympic sport teams participated in the study. Four participants coached individual sports and 3 coached team sports. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results addressed the coaches' perceptions of cohesion in the Paralympic sport setting and strategies used to foster cohesion with their teams. Participants described using techniques and strategies for enhancing cohesion that were similar to those in nondisability sport, such as task-related activities, goal setting, and regularly communicating with their athletes. They also listed how cohesion was distinct to the Paralympic setting, such as the importance of interpersonal activities to build social cohesion. The implications of these results for coaching athletes with a disability are also presented.

Predictors of the precompetitive anxiety response: Relative impact and prospects for anxiety regulation

The intensity and interpretation of precompetitive anxiety symptoms are associated with athletes’ performance and adherence. Whereas the optimal symptom intensity is task- and individual-dependent, a facilitative symptom interpretation is generally adaptive. Past research has identified several variables thought to influence symptom intensity and interpretation. This study set out to compare a selection of prominent predictors and discuss them in terms of anxiety regulation. Prior to an in-season game, female and male intercollegiate team sport athletes reported their precompetitive anxiety symptom intensity and interpretation (Directional Modification of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2) as well as their perceptions of team cohesion (Group Environment Questionnaire). Beforehand, they indicated their competitive trait anxiety (Sport Anxiety Scale-2), competitive experience, and starting status. Further, gender, team ranking, opponent ranking, and game location were recorded. Logistic regression analyses revealed higher trait anxiety as the strongest predictor of more intense precompetitive anxiety symptoms and more debilitative interpretations. In addition to trait anxiety, better team ranking and an away game location predicted more intense symptoms, whereas higher cohesion predicted a more facilitative interpretation. In terms of effective anxiety regulation, trait anxiety appears to have the greatest effect and, although being hard to reduce, this justifies the time-investment and individual focus in interventions. Conversely, cohesion promises small effects. However, being comparatively easy to enhance, it might constitute a convenient alternative to improve an entire team's symptom interpretation.

The Relationship Among Athlete Leadership Behaviors and Cohesion in Team Sports

This study examined the influence of athlete leadership behaviors on perceptions of team cohesion. The participants were 312 athletes from 25 varsity and club level teams. Each participant completed the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron, Widmeyer, &amp; Brawley, 1985) that assessed cohesion and the Leadership Scale for Sports (Chelladurai &amp; Saleh, 1980) that assessed athlete leadership behaviors. Overall, it was found that individual perceptions of Training and Instruction, and Social Support positively influenced all four dimensions of cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S, GI—T, GI-S). Furthermore, Autocratic Behavior was negatively associated with the four dimensions of cohesion. Finally, Democratic Behavior was positively related to ATG-T. These findings provide researchers, sport psychology consultants, athletes, and coaches with some initial evidence that it is important to foster the development of athlete leader behaviors to influence the team environment.

The Relationship between Task Cohesion and Competitive State Anxiety

The general purpose of the present study was to determine if perceptions of team cohesion are related to the interpretation athletes attach to their precompetition anxiety. Specifically examined was the association between athlete perceptions of task cohesiveness (Individual Attractions to the Group– Task, ATG-T, and Group Integration–Task, GI-T) and the degree to which perceptions of the intensity of precompetition anxiety symptoms (cognitive and somatic) were viewed as facilitative versus debilitative. Participants were athletes (N = 392) from the sports of soccer, rugby, and field hockey. Each athlete completed the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron, Widmeyer, &amp; Brawley, 1985) after a practice session. A directionally modified version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump, &amp; Smith, 1990) was completed just prior to a competition. Results showed that athletes who perceived their cognitive anxiety as facilitative had higher perceptions of both ATG-T and GI-T, χ2 (2, N = 260) = 8.96, p &lt; .05, than athletes who perceived their cognitive anxiety as debilitative. Also, athletes who perceived their somatic anxiety as facilitative had higher perceptions of GI-T, χ2 (2, N = 249) = 5.85, p &lt; .05.

Relation between social cohesion and team performance in soccer teams.

Investigations of the influence on team performance of team composition, in terms of task-related attributes, e.g., personality traits, cognitive abilities, often assumes this relation to be mediated by the strength (intensity) of the interpersonal relations (social cohesion) among team members. However, there has been little empirical examination of how much social cohesion actually affects team outcomes. This preliminary study sought to examine this issue using soccer teams, which have been held to resemble workplace teams. Perceptions of team cohesion were collected from 198 Israeli soccer players (comprising 36 national league teams) during the week preceding their weekly games. A significant correlation was found between the perceptions of social cohesion and the results of the soccer matches, indicating a link between team social cohesion and team performance. Implications of the results, as well as the study's limitations, are discussed, and avenues for research are suggested.

Perceptions of group cohesion and mood in sport teams.

Perceptions of team cohesion and mood were investigated in netball, rowing and rugby. Participants (N = 415) completed the Group Environment Questionnaire and the Profile of Mood States–C. For task cohesion, attraction to the group predicted low tension and anger, and group integration predicted low depression. For social cohesion, attraction to the group predicted low tension, low depression and high vigor but group integration was not predictive of mood. Type of sport did not moderate cohesion-mood relationships, although significant between-sport differences in cohesion and mood scores were evidenced. Results are discussed in relation to the Baumeister and Leary (1995) proposition that the need to belong is a fundamental human motive.