The TASS-Q: The Team-referent Availability of Social Support Questionnaire

Abstract

Objectives  To provide initial evidence for the construct validity of the Team-referent Availability of Social Support Questionnaire (the TASS-Q).  Design  Cross-sectional in Study 1, and two time points in Study 2.  Method  The preliminary study required participants (N=47) to assess the content validity—dimensional belonging, understanding, and relevance—of the TASS-Q items. In Study 1, participants (n=336) completed the TASS-Q and measures of social desirability and negative affectivity. In Study 2, approximately one week before a competition (Day 1, Time 1) participants (n=413) completed the TASS-Q; approximately one hour before the same competition (Day 7–9, Time 2) participants completed measures of collective efficacy in relation to the impending competition and team cohesion.  Results  Following evidence for the scale content validity of the TASS-Q in the preliminary study, Study 1 provided support for the factor structure of the TASS-Q comprising emotional, esteem, informational, and tangible dimensions. Study 2 provided partial evidence for the factor structure of the TASS-Q and evidence of the criterion-related validity of the measure, demonstrating that (a) team-referent esteem support was a positive predictor of collective efficacy, (b) support dimensions, collectively, explained significant variance in task cohesion dimensions, and (c) emotional support was a positive predictor of social cohesion (group integration—social).  Conclusions  The article provides initial evidence for the construct validity of the TASS-Q and demonstrates, for team-referent social support, the theoretical advantages of examining a multidimensional conceptualisation of perceived availability of social support.