Validation of General Self-Efficacy Scale in Indian Context

Abstract

The present study aims to test the suitability of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) by Ralf Schwarzer and Matthias Jerusalem (1998) in the Indian context especially for women who have been through the university system. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Cronbach's statistics was carried out in order to examine the validity and reliability of the scale in Indian context. Based on a sample of 358 respondents' empirical evidences demonstrate an excellent fit of unidimensional structure of a 10 item GSE scale in the Indian context and an adequate alpha coefficient (0.83) for entire scale. Present study provides first direct evidence for the psychometric properties and unique identification of the GSE in the Indian context, especially for women with graduation as the minimum level of education, both working and non-working from rural and urban areas. This GSE scale has wide implications and applicability in the academic field and through it in all spheres, where women have come to play a significant role. The GSE scale will help to analyse and access the gaps and discrepancies in the programmes, reroute feedback, thereby helping in taking the corrective actions whenever necessary by modifying current interventions.