Validation of a Scale to Evaluate Group Cohesion in thePhysical Education Area in Secondary School Students

Group cohesion is widely recognised as a critical factor for achieving the objectives set within a work group, serving both as a primary enabler and a potential obstacle to the group processes that shape behaviour. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of an instrument designed to assess group cohesion among students in Physical Education classes. The sample comprised 306 students from Compulsory Secondary Education in public schools in southwestern Spain. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the instrument's structure. The results indicated a unifactorial structure consisting of nine items, demonstrating high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93) and excellent goodness-of-fit indices. Thus, this instrument can be considered a quick and efficient tool for evaluating group cohesion among students in Physical Education settings, providing valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to foster cohesive group dynamics.