| Abstract: | The Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) has been used extensively in previous research, yet factorial validity for this measure has been inconclusive, and the temporal stability of scores has not been previously investigated. As argued by D. E. Conroy, J. N. Metzler, and S. M. Hofer (2003), investigations into stability are invaluable in providing support for the structural and generalizability of scores over time. In this study, elite female netball players completed the GEQ at 4 different times across the 10-week playing season (Weeks 1, 2, 6, and 10). Results supported strong factorial invariance for social and task cohesion scores, whereas differential stability was achieved only by the task cohesion scales. Linear trajectory models showed a lack of fit, indicating that the latent mean stability of GEQ scores was not established. Overall, both social and task constructs revealed a moderate decrease in perceived cohesion over the competitive playing period. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
