Adaptation and validation in Spanish of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) with professional football players.

Résumé 0

"Background: This investigation presents two studies with the goal of adapting and validating a short version of the Group Environment Questionnaire in the Spanish sport context with professional players. Method: Study 1 used a sample of 377 male soccer players aged between 18 and 39 years (M = 24.51, SD = 3.73), in a preliminary study using exploratory factor analysis. Study 2 used a sample of 604 professional male and female athletes, ages between 15 and 38 years (M = 24.34, SD = 4.03). The data analyzed were collected at three moments of the season. For each measurement, we developed seven fi rst- and second-order structures that were analyzed with confi rmatory factor analysis. Results: Study 1 indicated appropriate factorial validity (> .60) and internal consistency (> .70), with only Item 3 presenting a low factor loading (.11), so its drafting was modifi ed in the next study. Study 2 revealed that the Spanish version of the GEQ has high levels of internal consistency (> .70) and acceptable fi t index values in its original four fi rst-order factor structure in all three measurements (χ2/df = 4.39, CFI = .95, IFI = .95, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .04, AIC = 271.09). Discriminant validity (from r = .45 to r = .72) and concurrent validity (from r = .21 to r = .60) also presented appropriate values. Lastly, we conducted analysis of invariance, confi rming that the models established in the different measurements were invariant. Conclusions: The short 12-item adaptation of the GEQ to Spanish is a valid and reliable instrument to measure team cohesion in professional male and female soccer players."