Athletes' imagery use from a team-level perspective and team cohesion. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Curtin, Kimberley D.; Munroe-Chandler, Krista J.; Loughead, Todd M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of sport and exercise psychology. Volume 14:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: team sport -- individual cognition -- motivational imagery -- interdependent sport; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.019
• DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2015.1036096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-197X

Abstract

Abstract : While a positive relationship has been established between imagery and team-level constructs (e.g. collective-efficacy and cohesion), those studies have examined imagery from an individual-level perspective (e.g. "I imagine myself being mentally tough"). Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship of athlete imagery use from a team-level perspective to team cohesion. Interdependent sport team athletes ( N = 284) completed the Group Environment Questionnaire in order to measure team cohesion, and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire-Team Sport which was modified from the original Sport Imagery Questionnaire to assess the frequency of athlete's imagery use from a team-level perspective. Multiple regression analysis revealed that motivation general-mastery imagery was significantly related to the cohesion dimensions of group integration-task (21%), individual attractions to the group-task (11%), and individual attractions to the group-social (13%). Findings suggest that motivational imagery from a team-level perspective should be emphasised on sport teams in order to increase team cohesion.