Interpersonal and Structural Features of Greek Coach–Athlete Dyads Performing in Individual Sports

The purpose of the present study was two-fold. Firstly, a new interpersonal construct, namely, Co-orientation was proposed to be included in the recently developed Closeness, Commitment, and Complementarity (3 Cs) conceptual model of the coach–athlete relationship (Jowett & Cockerill, 2002). Secondly, the factorial construct validity of the Greek Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (GrCART-Q; Jowett & Ntoumanis, 2003), an instrument developed to measure coaches and athletes' direct perspective of the 3 Cs, and its modified version was assessed. The modified GrCART-Q was developed to measure the 3 Cs from a meta-perspective (e.g., athletes' perceptions of their coaches' closeness). The GrCART-Q and its modified version were administered to 280 participants (140 coaches and 140 athletes) from individual sports. Separate confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for the GrCART-Q and its modified version, as well as for coaches and athletes. Results revealed that both versions possess satisfactory factorial validity and reliability as a measure of the coach–athlete relationship construct for athletes and coaches of individual sports. In light of these results, conceptual, empirical and practical issues are discussed.

Appreciation is extended to Voula Patoulidou and Koula Giannakidou for the cooperation and support provided during the study.

This paper is part of a longer study examining interpersonal perceptions of assumed similarity and empathic accuracy in coach–athlete relationships. The research was supported from a Grant received by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (Women and Sport Subcommittee).

Notes

¹Coach–athlete dyads were independent. No athlete shared a coach in this sample.

²The Greek Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (GrCART-Q) and its meta-perspective version are available from the author.

∗ p < 0.001

∗∗ p < 0.0.