The Effect of Individual Factors on Group Cohesiveness and Collective Efficacy in Team Sports: Effects of Members’ Life Skills on the Group

Abstract

This exploratory study examined the inner resources of individual athletes by investigating their life skills, which consist of various abilities required in daily life. Furthermore, the relationships between life skills and group cohesiveness, as well as collective efficacy were examined. Participants in the survey were male university football club members （N = 179; M =20.3±1.3 years）. Life skills were measured using an Appraisal Scale of Required Life Skills for College Student Athletes （Shimamoto et al., 2013）. This scale includes the following 10 sub-scales: stress management, setting goals, thinking carefully, appreciating others, communicating, maintaining etiquette and manners, always making one's best effort, taking responsibility for one's own behavior, being humble, and maintaining physical health and well-being. A multivariable multiple regression analysis model was used for the 10 aspects of life skills as the independent variables, and group cohesiveness and collective efficacy as the dependent variables. Results of covariance structure analysis showed that the model fit the data well （GFI=.98, AGFI=.92, CFI=.99, RMSEA=.03）. And the model revealed that （1） "communicating" had positive effects on team members' recognition of group cohesiveness and collective efficacy; （2） "taking responsibility for one's own behavior" had positive effects on the team members' recognition of group efficacy. Yamaguchi （2008） indicated that group cohesiveness and collective efficacy of the whole team increased through improvement in individual awareness. In conclusion, it was suggested that certain aspects of life skills might have a positive effect on group cohesiveness and collective efficacy of the whole team.