Abstract
Interdependence guides interactions and relationship development among group members. Across two studies, we tested the proposition that interdependence structures (i.e., task interaction among teammates during competition, competition against other teammates, and the presence of a collective outcome) have an influence on interdependence perceptions among teammates as well as perceptions of group cohesion, competitiveness, and satisfaction. Study 1 was a paper and pencil survey completed by 210 individual sport athletes from 12 university- and college-level teams. Results using multiple mediation analyses demonstrated that participants who had to work alongside teammates during competition reported increased interdependence perceptions that were, in turn, associated with increased cohesion and satisfaction as well as decreased competitiveness. Meanwhile, there were no differences in these group perceptions between participants who competed in the same event as all of their teammates and those who did not. Study 2 involved a weekly e-mail survey with 17 university-level individual sport athletes who reported interdependence perceptions on a continual basis over the course of their competitive season. Pooled time series analyses showed that interdependence perceptions were higher when assessed on weeks that were close in time to competitions with a collective group outcome. These studies reveal how task and outcome interdependence structures shape the group environment. Coaches and group leaders would be well-advised to consider the structure of interdependence in their group and its influence on group functioning and individual member satisfaction.
