Supervisors info:
Ψυχουντάκη Μαρία, αναπληρώτρια καθηγήτρια, σχολής επιστήμης φυσικής αγωγής & αθλητισμού, καποδιστριακό πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Αγγελονίδης Ιωάννης, καθηγητής, σχολής επιστήμης φυσικής αγωγής & αθλητισμού, καποδιστριακό πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Σταύρου Νεκτάριος, λέκτορας, σχολής επιστήμης φυσικής αγωγής & αθλητισμού, καποδιστριακό πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Summary:
Flow is an optimal psychological state that typically occurs when a person
perceives a balance between the challenges associated with a situation and his/her
own capabilities to accomplish these demands and appears absorbed of its actions
(Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), (Jackson & Csikszentmihalyi, 1999). Cohesion is “a
dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency for a group to stick together
and remain united in the pursuit of its instrumental objectives and/or for the
satisfaction of member affective needs” (Carron, Brawley, & Widmeyer, 1998, p.
213). Model of affecting flow (Kimiekick & Stein, 1992) and conceptual model
of cohesion (Widmeyer, Brawley, & Carron, 1985) were the theoretical base of
this study. Aims of the present study are: (a) to investigate the relationship of
cohesion and flow state, (b) the determination of the relation of athletes
characteristics with flow and cohesion, in a group environment, and (c) the
relation among flow, cohesion and sport performance. Participants were 190
volleyball athletes (90 men and 100 women- B΄ & Α2΄ national division), in the
mean age of 25.9 years (SD=6.78), mean experience was approximately 15 years
(M=15.28, SD=6.20). Participants answered measures such as: Anxiety Inventory
questionnaire, Positive negative emotion questionnaire, Competitive Anxiety
Inventory questionnaire, Competitive Self confidence questionnaire, Group
Environment questionnaire, Psychological Benefits/costs of cohesion scale and
Social desirability scale) ≈45 minutes before (b) on pre-game time participants
answered the Competitive state anxiety inventory, Competitive Self confidence
questionnaire and Self- designed scales concerning perceived competence, team
effectiveness and finally self-constructed questions concerning: game importance,
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difficulty of game, athletes’ expectations, group capability, group and individual
performance and satisfaction etc, (c) immediately after competition participants
answered the Flow State Scale-2 and team performance as well as athletes
satisfaction was noted. Statistical analysis concerned: simple and canonical
correlations and linear and ierarchical multiple regressions. Results supported that
situationnal characteristics as group s’ social cohesion appears relations with
psychological flow, performance as well as athletes satisfaction. It is also
supported that individual psychological characteristics (anxiety, self confidence)
as well as state group variables (social cohesion) can be predictor values
concerning the development of psychological flow, team performance and
athletes satisfaction, for both men and women. Results are interpreted based on
the Model of affecting flow and Conceptual Model of cohesion in order to explain
athletic teams’ flow raising and performance quality.
