THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COLLECTIVE EFFICACY, GROUP COHESION AND TEAM PERFORMANCE IN PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAMS

RAMZANINEZHAD, R.; KESHTAN, M. H.; SHAHAMAT, M. D.; KORDSHOOLI, S. S. The relationship between collective efficacy, group cohesion and team performance in professional volleyball teams. Brazilian Journal Biomotricity, v. 3, n. 1, p. 31-39, 2009. The purpose of this study was to examining the relationship between collective efficacy, cohesion and team performance in Iran volleyball clubs professional league (2008). Athletes (N=153) from 13 volleyball teams completed collective efficacy questionnaire (CEQ) and the group environment questionnaire (GEQ). Both questionnaires were administered in second half-season. Results revealed that task cohesion positively and significantly correlated to collective efficacy and the social dimension of cohesion did not significantly correlated to collective efficacy. Therefore, athletes who perceived their teams as high in task cohesion tended to rate their teams higher in collective efficacy. In hole, significant and positive relationship was found between collective efficacy and group cohesion (r=0.57). Comparison of collective efficacy and group cohesion levels of successful, less successful and unsuccessful teams demonstrated a positive relationship between cohesion and collective efficacy with team performance. Overall, the findings support the significant relationship between group cohesion and collective efficacy, and highlight the interdependence in team sports, which can significantly affect the need for group cohesion and collective efficacy that contribute to team performance.