Relationship between organizational support and performance of college coaches: A mediational model

Abstract

Two hundred and sixty-seven NCAA Division I coaches participated in the investigation of the mediator effects of affective commitment (AC) on the relationship between college coaches’ perceived organizational support (POS) and athletic performance. Social exchange theory predicts that the relationship between POS and performance should be mediated by AC. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable model fit measures. Both scales presented good internal consistency and construct validity. Using structural equation modeling, three models were compared. A fully mediated model was chosen to explain the indirect effects of POS on athletic performance through AC. The path coefficients from POS to AC and from AC to athletic performance were both significant. The indirect effect was also significant. Implications of these results for theory and practice are discussed.