Relationship Between Role Ambiguity and Satisfaction in Iranian Elite Athletes

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between role ambiguity and satisfaction in elite athletes. The data was collected through field study. The research sample was considered equal to the population size that consisted of Iranian male and female players in national basketball, handball and volleyball teams (N=92). Role ambiguity was examined using Beauchamp and colleagues’ Role Ambiguity Scale (2002). The scale evaluates every athlete’s perception of his/her role in a team. Athlete satisfaction was investigated using Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire developed by Riemer and Chellandurai (1998). The study adopted a descriptive-correlational method. Pearson correlation formula and regression analysis were run to analyze the data. The results showed a significant correlation between role ambiguity and elite athlete satisfaction. In other words, with either lower role ambiguity or higher role perception, elite athletes may feel higher satisfaction. Besides, the results of regression analysis revealed that role ambiguity was a significant predictor of satisfaction in elite athletes. Overall, the findings suggest that with lower role ambiguity and clearer perception of individual responsibility and role in a team, elite athletes feel higher levels of satisfaction, hence the betterment of team performance.