Relationships Among Team Cohesion and Performance, Anxiety, Retention, and Satisfaction

Abstract

In addition to the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ), Social Networking Analysis (SNA) has recently emerged as a promising research approach to measuring team cohesion. However, little to no research has simultaneously used both measures to compare and contrast their unique benefits. Thus, the present study sought to examine the relationship between SNA (friendship and efficacy) and the GEQ, as well as their relationships with team performance, anxiety, retention, and satisfaction. Players and coaches from four NCAA Division-I Women’s Volleyball teams (N = 49) completed an online survey at preseason, midseason, and postseason. Findings indicated that the GEQ and SNA are likely measuring different constructs. While the GEQ was a better global measure of team cohesion, SNA was able to offer unique contributions in exploring how specific dyadic relationships among team members evolve over the course of the season and contribute to performance, anxiety, retention, and satisfaction. Visual inspections of the SNA networks revealed that the team with fewer friendship connections was more successful in terms of team performance. In addition, SNA efficacy was associated with lower levels of competitive somatic anxiety. The GEQ subscales that focused on individual attractions to the group (ATG-T and ATG-S) and SNA friendship and efficacy were moderately related to later intentions of returning to the team the following season. Finally, lower levels of cohesion, as measured by both the GEQ and SNA, were associated with lower levels of satisfaction later in the season. The results of this study help to highlight the positive outcomes variables associated with team cohesion, while also further positioning SNA and the GEQ as important, yet unique, tools for athletic administrators and coaches to use to better understand the functioning, or lack thereof, of their teams. Acknowledgements of practical applications and recommendations for future research are provided.