Perceptions of group cohesion and mood in sport teams

Abstract

Perceptions of group cohesion and mood were investigated among netball, rowing, and rugby teams. Participants (N = 415) completed the Group Environment Questionnaire and the Profile of Mood States - C. For task cohesion, high attraction to the group predicted low tension and anger and high group intergration predicted low depression. For social cohesion, high attraction to the group predicted low tension, low depression, and high vigor, but group integration was not predictive of mood. Type of sport did not moderate cohesion-mood relationships, although significant between-sport differences in cohesion and mood scores were seen. Results are discussed in relation to the R. F. Baumeister and M. R. Leary (1995) proposition that the need to belong is a fundamental human motive.