TEST OF A MODEL INCORPORATING STRESS, STRAIN, AND DISINTEGRATION IN THE COHESION-PERFORMANCE RELATION

This study proposes that stress, strain, and group disintegration are important concepts in studying cohesion's relation to performance. Dat a were obtained from 9,013 U.S. Army soldiers (in the ranks of Private through Staff Sergeant) in 112 companies representing units in both t he U.S. and Europe. Results showed that stress, strain, and disintegra tion added significant, albeit small amounts of variance to perceived individual and group combat performance. The cohesion component, team task support as opposed to peer emotional support, showed the stronges t relation to perceived individual and group combat performance, and s howed the strongest buffering and mediating effects on the relation of stress to perceived combat performance.