The Relationship between the Self-efficacy and Life Satisfaction of Young Adults

Firdevs Savi Çakar

doi:10.5539/ies.v5n6p123

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and life satisfaction of young adults. This study is cross-sectional study and variables. Data were collected between March 2012 and April 2012 from young adults who were bachelor degree and attending the Celal Bayar University Pedagogical Formation Program the academic term in 2011-2012. Participants consist of 405 young adults who selected by the simple random sampling. The number of women was determined to be 224 (57%) and that of men to be 181 (44%). Their mean age was 26.4. Data were collected by General Self–Efficacy Scale and The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and regression analysis. It was determined that the self-efficacy of young adults significantly predicted their life satisfaction (48%, p=.05); also, self-efficacy and life satisfaction didn’t significantly differ among the groups in accordance with the perceived level of income. Depending on the results of this study, to raise self-efficacy of young adults can help to achieve their developmental tasks, this is vital for their healthy development and life satisfaction. It can be examine the longitudinal studies of the relationship between self-efficacy and life satisfaction in the young adulthood. Also, the factors that are effective in increasing life satisfaction can be determined through experimental studies to be performed with young adults.

Highlights

Young adults experience many concurrent changes in all aspects of their lives (Schulenberg, Bryant, & O’Malley, 2004)
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and life satisfaction of young adults
The life-satisfaction and self-efficacy of young adults were looked out whether there is a difference among groups depending on the perceived level of income and regression analysis was carried out to determine whether their self-efficacy significantly predict their life satisfaction

Summary

Introduction

Young adults experience many concurrent changes in all aspects of their lives (Schulenberg, Bryant, & O’Malley, 2004) This period of development is characterized by high levels of personal exploration (Jessor, Donovan, & Costa, 1991), increased mobility and independence from parents, and the adoption of adult roles (Erikson, 1968) such as future careers, as regard to occupational achievement and family formation as important decisions (Settersten, Furstenberg, & Rumbaut, 2005). Havighurst (1972) emphasised that happiness (or life satisfaction) may be dependent on the successful achievement of life-phase dependent developmental tasks arising from three sources These are: physical maturation, cultural pressure and individual aspirations and values. In this theory to early adulthood, the developmental tasks in question would include learning to live in a marriage or kind of relationship, starting a family (with children), and getting started in an occupation (cited in: Bradley & Corwyn, 2004)

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Conclusion