Work self-efficacy and its role in promoting psychological health of the staff of educational organizations in the conditions of war and post-war revival: a theoretical analysis of the problem

Abstract

Introduction. Today, psychologists are facing an important and urgent task of finding factors that promote educational staff's work performance and psychological health in war conditions. One of these factors is overall self-efficacy and, in particular, work self-efficacy of the individual. Aim: to make a theoretical analysis of the concept of work self-efficacy and determine its role in promoting the psychological health of the staff of educational organizations in the conditions of war and post-war revival. Results: In Western organizational psychology, the problem of self-efficacy is studied in relation to work efficiency and job satisfaction, as a staff's personal characteristics correlate, as an occupational stress-and burnout-reducing factor, and as a mental health and subjective well-being factor. Work self-efficacy is a type of personal self-efficacy and it is considered as part of professional self-concept and is defined as a person's belief in their ability to successfully perform work tasks. Work self-efficacy in foreign studies is considered as a significant correlate of such organizational indicators as career, job satisfaction, dedication, involvement in work and work productivity in general. Work self-efficacy acts as a "buffer" from occupational stress and burnout. In the conditions of war, the development of self-efficacy acquires special importance. On the one hand, self-efficacy in certain population categories has decreased, but on the other hand, self-efficacy plays a key role in reactions to stress and coping with threatening situations and traumatic events. In addition, self-efficacy is an important factor in post-war personal recovery and can be developed via psychological interventions. Conclusions: The results of the theoretical research can be helpful in empirical studies of educational staff's work self-efficacy in the conditions of war and for the development of special work self-efficacy promotion psychological technologies.