A Commentary on the Relationship between Self-efficacy, Problem-focused Coping and Performance

Jeremiah Taiwo

doi:10.29173/bsuj291

Abstract

Self-efficacy influences self-regulatory cognition and behaviour, including the way we approach and cope with problems and how we perform tasks. In this paper I examined the construct of self-efficacy and the strongly related variables of coping and performance to better understand how self-efficacy works at a fundamental level. I briefly reviewed some key concepts, measures and methods used in the study of self-efficacy, commenting on potentially important and understudied differences in coping styles that may influence self-efficacy. Specifically, problem-focused coping was the main coping strategy in the literature that had a positive correlation with both self-efficacy and performance. Lastly, I present some ideas for future research toward more understanding of the development of self-efficacy and its contributing factors.

Highlights

Self-efficacy was defined by Bandura (1997) as the level of confidence an individual has of being able to perform a specific task successfully
A one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to using active coping, because some situations do not need direct solutions
The alternative structural model was used to examine how the variables influence each other and findings showed that test anxiety, personal control and midterm grade had a positive relationship with self-efficacy

Summary

Introduction

Self-efficacy was defined by Bandura (1997) as the level of confidence an individual has of being able to perform a specific task successfully. These types of considerations make sense in the context of SCT because Bandura (1989) explained that self-efficacy is a personal attribute developed solely by an individual to fit into one’s own perceived future, which helps one in using self-regulatory capabilities to influence one’s motivations and actions.

Results

Conclusion