The Impact of Unit Membership, Discipline, and Age on Team Effectiveness

Abstract

The research on the idea of teams as dynamic systems that transcend boundaries is increasingly attempting to better understand how changes in team members (i.e., team members joining and/or leaving) shape organizational team performance and operation. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that unit membership, discipline and various demographic characteristics such as age and gender have on levels of stress, coping, self-esteem and estimates of team effectiveness. Stress from patient behaviors was influenced by team and the psychiatric and Alzheimer's units had the highest levels and the lowest levels were in the geriatric and nursing home units. The amount of emotion related coping was significantly affected by age and the youngest participants had the greatest amount. Unit membership and discipline have a significant impact on the level of stress and coping.