Perceived Motivational Climate and Team Cohesion in Adolescent Athletes

• Published in: Sport Science Review (Bucureşti) 2012-08, Vol.21 (3-4), p.25-48
• Main Authors: Horn, Thelma, Byrd, Megan, Martin, Eric, Young, Christine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescents; coaching behavior; group dynamics; perceived motivational climate; team cohesion
• ISSN: 2066-8732; 2069-7244
• DOI: 10.2478/v10237-012-0009-3

This study was conducted to determine whether adolescent athletes' perceptions of their team's level and type of cohesion would be related to, or differ as a function of, their perceptions of their team's motivational climate. This hypothesized link was assessed using both group comparison and multivariate correlational analyses. Study participants (N = 351 adolescent athletes) were recruited from sports camps conducted for high school-aged athletes at universities, colleges, and other sport facilities throughout the United States. Athletes completed questionnaires to assess perceived coach-initiated motivational climate (PMCSQ-2) and perceived team cohesion (GEQ). Based on their scores on perceived motivational climate, athletes were divided into four climate type groups: Low Task/Low Ego; Low Task/High Ego; High Task/Low Ego; High Task/High Ego. MANOVA comparisons revealed that athletes in both high task groups (High Task/Low Ego and High Task/High Ego) exhibited higher perceptions of all forms of group cohesion. Canonical correlation analyses verified the primary link between a task-oriented team climate and high levels of group cohesion but also revealed some positive aspects of an ego-oriented climate. The obtained results revealed that a coach-initiated task-oriented climate is most strongly linked to high levels of perceived team cohesion. However, elements of an ego-oriented climate can also be positively associated with high levels of team cohesiveness provided they are accompanied by selected components of a mastery climate.