Correlates of role satisfaction

Abstract

Although fostering positive role perceptions is critical for group success (Carron & Eys, 2012), intra-group competition in high performance sport teams results in an uncomfortable reality for many athletes—they may be asked to fulfill responsibilities within the group that depart from their ideals.  However, other facets of the group environment may influence athletes’ psychosocial outcomes related to their role occupancy (e.g., Bosselut et al., 2012). For example, athletes who feel close and united with their teammates may come to view their undesirable role in a more positive way. Thus, understanding how group constructs relate to athletes’ perceptions of role satisfaction with their role set is of great practical importance.  The present study aimed to explore the relationship between role satisfaction and role ambiguity, cohesion, and coach-initiated motivational climate. Intercollegiate athletes (N = 211; 47% female; M_age = 20.03 ± 1.58) from various sport teams (k = 11) completed measures of the study variables midway through the competitive season. The initial bivariate correlations revealed positive relationships between role satisfaction and task motivational climate, task cohesion, and social cohesion. Conversely, ego-involving motivational climate and role ambiguity were negatively related to role satisfaction. Using multivariate regression for the primary analysis, we found that task cohesion (attractions to group – task; group integration - task), role ambiguity (scope of responsibilities; role evaluation), and task involving motivational climate perceptions significantly predicted role satisfaction, R² _adj = .60, F (10, 198) = 31.91, p < .001. These results reveal that variables related to group interaction (e.g., cohesion) influence individuals’ perceptions of satisfaction with their role set. Considering the difficulties with implementing individualized interventions targeting athlete affect, coaches and practitioners may benefit from developing strategies designed to enhance the sport group environment.