title: Adaptation and validation in Spanish of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) with professional football players.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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 first- and second-order structures that were analyzed with confirmatory 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 modified in the next study. Study 2 revealed that the Spanish version of the GEQ has high levels of internal consistency (> .70) and acceptable fit index values in its original four first-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, confirming 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.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Extremadura.
authors.forename: Francisco Miguel
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: González-Ponce
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Oliva
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pulido
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: García-Calvo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012916:Soccer; D012931:Social Environment; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult