Cohesion, satisfaction, and exercise intentions in community group physical activity settings

Abstract

Interrelationships among group cohesion, satisfaction, and physical activity intentions are demonstrated in past research within an exercise context (e.g., Caperchione & Mummery, 2007; Loughead & Carron, 2004). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether perceptions of satisfaction mediated the cohesion to exercise intentions relationship. Adults (N = 249; Mage= 40.22, SD = 12.81) involved in community group exercise classes were sampled. Participants completed the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (cohesion; Estabrooks & Carron, 2000), two measures of satisfaction (Chang, 1998), and indicated their intentions to continue class participation (Courneya & McAuley, 1995). Using regression analyses (Baron & Kenny, 1986) and further tests of significance (Sobel, 1982), it was demonstrated that both satisfaction with the class environment and satisfaction with personal involvement significantly mediated the relationship between the cohesion dimension of group integration-task and exercise intentions. Furthermore, both measures of satisfaction were found to partially mediate the relationships between the cohesion dimensions of attraction to the group-social and group integration-social with exercise intentions. These findings extend the current understanding of potential mechanisms by which cohesion affects behavioural intentions in addition to providing further evidence for considering cohesion within the group exercise setting.