The relationship of group efficacy to four indicators of team performance in women's volleyball, basketball and softball.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among group efficacy scores and four indicators of team performance in women's volleyball, basketball and softball. The four indicators of team performance were; win/loss, importance of the game, difficulty of opponent and the quality of play. The varsity players and coaches of the Emporia State University women's volleyball, basketball and softball teams served as Subjects (N = 53). Each team was subdivided into four categories; team (starters, substitutes and coaches), starters, substitutes and coaches. Subjects were asked on the first day of practice to answer a General Self-Efficacy Scale and a physical Self-Efficacy Scale. Subjects were asked to answer a questionnaire which assessed an individual's belief and strength of belief in the team's ability to win the next contest. The questionnaires were distributed to the subjects after the last practice prior to the next athletic contest. Additionally, coaches were asked to assess the difficulty of opponent, the importance of the game and the quality of play following each contest. Data were analyzed through the use of multiple regression to determine if a significant relationship existed among group efficacy and the four indicators of team performance (win/loss, quality of play, difficulty of opponent and importance of the game). All data were analyzed at the 2<.05 level of significance. A significant relationship among team group efficacy scores and the four indicators of team performance was found with the basketball team (2 = .022) and softball team (2 = .016), but no relationship was found with the volleyball team (2 = .203). When subjects on the basketball team were subdivided for analysis (team, starters, substitutes and coaches), a few significant relationships (team, 2 = .0225 and coaches, Q = .010) were found among group efficacy scores and the four indicators of team performance. When subjects on the softball team were subdivided for analysis (team, starters, substitutes and coaches) a few significant relationships (team, 2 = .0162, starters, 2 =.0026 and coaches, 2 = .0047) were found among group efficacy scores and the four indicators of team performance. Multiple regression analysis showed no significant relationship among group efficacy scores and the two measures of self-efficacy (general and physical) .