Peer Leadership in Sport: Relationships among Personal Characteristics, Leader Behaviors, and Team Outcomes

The purpose of this study was to examine peer leadership in sport using transformational leadership theory as a framework. We extended research (Glenn & Horn, 1993; Moran & Weiss, 2006) by examining relationships among personal characteristics, peer leadership behaviors, and team outcomes. Adolescent female soccer players (N = 191) completed measures assessing personal, leadership, and team constructs. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that (a) peer leaders were characterized by higher perceived soccer competence, peer acceptance, behavioral conduct, and intrinsic motivation; and (b) effective peer leadership was associated with players who reported greater task and social cohesion and collective efficacy.