Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MSc)

Department

Kinesiology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Mark Eys

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

Cohesion is a multidimensional construct that aids in maintaining intragroup relations and achieving shared goals (Eys & Brawley, 2018). The importance of cohesion may be inferred through its associations to athlete satisfaction (Paradis & Loughead, 2012) and performance (Carron et al., 2002). Coaches are crucial in developing team cohesion, and their observable behaviours influence group dynamics (Juntumaa et al., 2007). Coaches exhibiting humility may be especially influential in promoting an appreciation of others’ abilities, an accurate self-view, and a willingness to improve (Owens & Hekman, 2016). Groups may also emulate their coaches’ humility to create a collective humility (Owens & Hekman, 2016). The present study aims to determine if athletes’ perceptions of coach humility relate to perceptions of group cohesion via collective humility.

Team sport athletes’ perceptions were obtained at two points in their competitive season (N = 259; 126 females; Mage = 17.52), approximately six weeks apart (M = 47.29 days, SD = 19.23 days). Two mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro (version 4.3, model 4) to examine if the relationship between leader humility and cohesion (i.e., task and social) was mediated by collective humility. Results indicated that leader humility was associated with both task (standardized indirect effect = .21, SE = .04, 99% BCIs [.09, .33], p < .001) and social cohesion (standardized indirect effect = .14, SE = .03, 99% BCIs [.06, .22], p < .001), mediated by collective humility. These results suggest that coach and collective humility were salient perceptions relative to athletes’ perceptions of team cohesion.

Convocation Year

2025

Convocation Season

Fall

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Available for download on Monday, June 26, 2028

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