Satisfaction in unstructured exercise settings: Role of cohesion and group identity

Abstract

Satisfaction has been associated with various measures of adherence in activity settings (Funk et al., 2011; Remers et al., 1995). What is less clear, however, are the factors that might impact these feelings of satisfaction. From a group perspective, the perceived cohesiveness of a structured activity group has been positively linked to feelings of satisfaction (Priebe et al., 2011). Further, social identity also has been found to be positively related to satisfaction in activity settings (Burns et al., 2012). Given the conceptual link between cohesion and identity (Hogg et al., 2004), this study sought to examine the relationship of task cohesion and group identity to group task satisfaction in unstructured exercise groups. Participants (N=148) were asked to recall their experience in an unstructured exercise group and report their perceptions of group identity (Rimal & Real, 2005), task cohesion (modified GEQ; Carron & Spink, 1992) and group task satisfaction (Bruner & Spink, 2011). SEM was performed with direct paths from identity and task cohesion to group task satisfaction. Model fit was acceptable (RMSEA=.075, CFI=.93). Task cohesion measures (ATG-T, b=.38, p<.001 and GI-T, b=.36, p<.001) emerged as predictors, with 70% of the variance in satisfaction explained. Identity did not emerge. Findings extend research on the cohesion-satisfaction relationship to unstructured exercise groups and suggest that satisfaction may be associated more with cohesion than identity.