Influence of Prosocial Behaviors, Mindfulness, and Perceived Prejudice on Team Cohesion among Women University Football Players in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct relationships of prosocial behaviors, mindfulness, and perceived prejudice with team cohesion among women university football players in Punjab, Pakistan, drawing on social learning theory. Team cohesion is a fundamental element in competitive sports, especially women’s football, where social and cognitive factors strongly influence team performance and success. While prosocial behaviors and mindfulness strengthen cohesion, aggression shows mixed effects, and prejudice undermines unity. In this study, the total population consisted 857 of women football players actively involved in university level football teams. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 373 active women football players at public universities in Punjab through purposive sampling. Constructs were measured using validated scales, and the data were analyzed using SPSS-26 and Smart-PLS software. The findings reveal friendship quality (FQ→TC: β= 0.099, t> 1.207) and perceived prejudice (PP→TC: β= -0.022, t> 0.251) do not demonstrate a significant direct relationship with team cohesion. However, agreeableness, (AG→TC: β= 0.170, t< 4.903), self-transcendence (ST →TC: β= 0.598, t< 6.374), empathic concern (EC→TC: β= 0.156, t< 2.215), aggression (AGG→TC: β= -0.259, t> 3.269) and mindfulness (MF→TC: β= 0.413, t< 4.496), significantly and positively influence team cohesion. The outcomes showed that all the constructs used in this study are highly reliable and consistent as Cronbach Alpha's estimation is over the required level. This study extends the literature by emphasizing the focus on prosocial behaviors and mindfulness in fostering cohesion in women’s football players. The results suggest that coaches, Sports management Officials and sports policymakers should encourage prosocial development, integrate mindfulness-based practices, and actively address perceived prejudice and socio-cultural challenges. These measures can help strengthen team cohesion and create more supportive environments for women football players, particularly in developing country contexts such as Pakistan.