The mediating effect of trust in the relationship between transformational leadership of university sports coach and team task cohesion

Introduction Transformational leadership is crucial for team functioning and cohesion in sports, yet the psychological mechanisms, specifically the role of trust, linking this leadership style to team outcomes in competitive university contexts remain under-investigated. This study, therefore, examined the associations and potential mediating roles of cognitive and affective trust in the relationship between athletes’ perceptions of transformational leadership and team task cohesion. Methods Data were collected from 362 male university soccer players affiliated with the Korea University Sports Federation (KUSF) using stratified sampling and standardized self-report instruments. To examine the hypothesized relationships, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM), focusing on the direct and indirect effects of cognitive and affective trust as potential mediators. Results The analysis indicated that transformational leadership had no significant direct association with team task cohesion. However, cognitive trust was found to function as the sole significant mediator in this relationship. Although affective trust was positively associated with transformational leadership and cognitive trust, it did not significantly relate to task cohesion. Furthermore, cognitive trust significantly predicted affective trust, consistent with a unidirectional sequence from rational appraisal to emotional bonding. Discussion These findings offer empirical support for the pivotal role of cognitive trust as a foundational mediator that simultaneously facilitates performance-oriented outcomes and interpersonal attachment in university sports. Specifically, the results extend theoretical understanding by clarifying that cognitive trust serves as a critical gateway, linking transformational leadership to both greater team task cohesion and the progressive development of affective trust among athletes. Practically, the results emphasize that coaches must prioritize consistent, competent, and fair leadership behaviors to cultivate cognitive trust; this strategic focus activates a dual psychological pathway that effectively enhances task-oriented cohesion while also strengthening the long-term emotional stability of the team.