The relationship between collective efficacy and precompetitive affect in rugby players: Testing Bandura's model of collective efficacy

This study extended research examining Bandura's (19971 proposed. model of collective efficacy. Specifically, it examined the relationships between groups' collective efficacy and tbe precompetitive anxiety and affect they experienced. Prior to a competitive match 66 male Rugby Union footballers from 6 reams (2 university teams and 1 county league reams) completed a single-item measure of confidence in their team winning the forthcoming match, a 10-item measure of confidence in their team performing well in the forthcoming march, the modified Competitive Stare Anxiety Inventory-2, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Stepwise (forward) multiple regression analyses indicated that scores for collective efficacy ac counted for only 6.3% of the variance in the intensities of cognitive state anxiety and only 22% of the variance in the positive affect experienced prior to the rugby march. The results indicate that concerns with the team's ability to min a match were associated with high cognitive state anxiety and that doubts regarding the team's ability to perform well were related to low positive affect. Given the magnitude of predicted variances, the findings seem to give some support to Bandura's proposal that the beliefs in collective efficacy of individuals engaged in a team task are related to precompetitive affective reactions and the experience of stare anxiety.