Multidimensional Role Ambiguity and Role Satisfaction: A Prospective Examination Using Interdependent Sport Teams

This study examined the prospective relationships between multidimensional role ambiguity and role satisfaction using interdependent sports teams. Midseason perceptions of role ambiguity and role satisfaction were recorded by 246 British secondary school rugby ( n = 156) and field hockey ( n = 90) players. One month later, role satisfaction was assessed again, along with a measure of dispositional negative affectivity. After controlling for the influence of negative affectivity and midseason role satisfaction, midseason role ambiguity explained significant variance in late-season offensive and defensive role satisfaction. Findings support a prospective relationship between role ambiguity and role satisfaction, as predicted by theory (Kahn et al., 1964), and underscore the necessity of controlling for "third" variables. From an applied perspective, results also highlight the importance of ensuring that role ambiguity is avoided within interdependent sports teams.