Effects of a Team-Building Game Intervention on Group Cohesion and Communication Quality
Keywords:
Team-building games, group cohesion, communication quality, randomized controlled trial, Argentina, cooperative learningAbstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured team-building game intervention in enhancing group cohesion and communication quality among participants in Argentina. A randomized controlled trial design was employed with 30 participants (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). The experimental group engaged in a ten-session, 60-minute team-building game intervention, while the control group received no structured training. Validated instruments were used to measure group cohesion and communication quality at baseline, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests. SPSS version 27 was used for all analyses, with significance set at p < .05. Results revealed significant time × group interaction effects for both group cohesion (F(2,56) = 32.68, p < .001, η² = .54) and communication quality (F(2,56) = 29.61, p < .001, η² = .52). Post hoc comparisons showed that in the experimental group, group cohesion improved significantly from baseline to posttest (mean difference = -1.08, p < .001) and from baseline to follow-up (mean difference = -1.43, p < .001). Similarly, communication quality increased significantly from baseline to posttest (mean difference = -1.13, p < .001) and baseline to follow-up (mean difference = -1.49, p < .001). Small but significant gains were also observed between posttest and follow-up for both variables (p < .05). No significant changes were observed in the control group across time points. The findings provide strong evidence that structured team-building game interventions can effectively enhance both group cohesion and communication quality, with effects sustained for at least six months. These results highlight the potential of cooperative game-based approaches as low-cost, practical strategies for improving teamwork outcomes.
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