Abstract
Fostering positive role perceptions is an important process related to individual and team success (Carron, Hausenblas, & Eys, 2005). To date, research concerning role perceptions in sport has focused primarily on cognitive aspects of roles and to a much lesser extent on role-related affect. Role satisfaction is defined as a pleasurable emotional state resulting from the perception of one's role as fulfilling or allowing the fulfillment of one's important role values (Locke, 1976). In sport, preliminary research has demonstrated that role satisfaction is positively linked to other role elements (e.g., role efficacy, role clarity) as well as team cohesion (Bray, 1998). However, researchers have noted the absence of a comprehensive conceptualization of role satisfaction, as well as the lack of a psychometrically sound measurement tool. The purpose of this communication is to propose a multi-dimensional model of role satisfaction in sport, developed through a comprehensive review of role satisfaction literature in both sport and organizational psychology. The proposed model contains seven dimensions: satisfaction with (a) skill utilization, (b) personal role significance, (c) team role significance, (d) autonomy, (e) feedback, (f) recognition, and (g) a general dimension of overall role satisfaction. Each of these dimensions is posited to be an essential component of understanding an athlete's perception of satisfaction with his/her role. Potential implications and future directions will be discussed.
