Self-efficacy Expectations Research Articles

Evaluating the Impact of AI Dependency on Cognitive Ability among Generation Z in Higher Educational Institutions: A Conceptual Framework

This research aims to examine the factors of AI dependency (AID) and to investigate the relationship between AI dependency on cognitive ability (CA) among Generation Z (Gen Z) in higher educational institutions. The factors involved are academic self-efficacy (ASE), academic stress (AS), and performance expectation (PE). In this research, the proposed research design is a quantitative method. A self?administered questionnaire will be distributed to respondents, a group of students who were born between 1997 to 2012, and the AI user. The questionnaire will be utilizing the Google Form platform for easier data collection. A snowball sampling method will be applied. Then, the data collected will be analyzed through the partial least square (PLS-SEM) technique. The research findings are expected to highlight the significant emphasis on the contributing factors of AI dependency among Gen Z students. Then, the findings will also provide a model to understand better the impact of AI dependency on cognitive ability. Additionally, it is foreseen that the findings will help various parties, including the government, to create better models for helping Gen Z students apply AI in decent ways to help them increase their cognitive ability. It is also considered a long-term strategy to become a nation with numbers of high cognitive ability citizens. Further, a practical framework based on AI dependency on cognitive ability will be developed as a guideline to support the effort of the government or industry practitioners to increase awareness among Gen Z students on how crucial to possess high cognitive ability.

Analysis of the Causes and Mitigation Paths of Artificial Intelligence Anxiety among Journalism Practitioners

The transformation of news media into intelligent media is in the ascendant, and artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought news practitioners into the era of intelligent production, but also brought them the psychological worry of AI anxiety. The study analyses the causes of AI anxiety among news practitioners from three aspects: the dissolution of their professional concepts, the prevalence of professional substitution, and the polarisation of professional skill requirements, and proposes a path to alleviate the problem by balancing self-efficacy and psychological expectations through scientific cognition, promoting the human-machine symbiosis model in the field of journalism through multi-party collaboration, and providing special support to improve the protection of news practitioners' profession.

The influence of partisan news on climate mitigation support: An investigation into the mediating role of perceived risk and efficacy.

Perceptions of efficacy play a central role in motivating people to engage in climate actions. However, there has been little investigation into how different climate efficacy beliefs are formed and how they may be associated with support for climate mitigation policies. This study, based on the motivated control framework, examines how risk perceptions may differentially be associated with four types of efficacy constructs (self-efficacy, personal outcome expectancy, collective efficacy, and collective outcome efficacy). It also places the motivated control framework in the context of the partisan information sphere and examines how exposure to partisan news may influence mitigation policy support through the mediators of risk perceptions and the efficacy constructs. Results suggest that liberal- and conservative-leaning news exposure, respectively, associate with higher and lower supports for policies. Overall, risk perception was a significant mediator, and the mediating function of efficacy varied depending on the specific construct being examined. For liberal news use, increased risk perceptions had a positive association with policy support through self-efficacy and collective outcome expectancy but also had an unexpected negative association with policy support through personal outcome expectancy and collective efficacy. For conservative news use, decreased risk perceptions resulted in further decreased beliefs of self-efficacy and collective outcome expectancy, resulting in lower levels of support for climate policies. We also find that political ideology is a significant moderator for the mediation model. Implications for climate change communication are discussed.

User-resistance behaviours toward electronic health records: uncovering the determinants of perceived threats

ABSTRACT This study uncovers the determinants of perceived threats that have long been associated with resistance to healthcare information technology in general, and electronic health records in particular. Conceptualised as perceived dissatisfaction with outcomes and perceived helplessness over process, these threats are discussed from the perspective of the Psychological Reactance Theory. Study participants consisting of a diverse group of healthcare professionals were drawn from sample frame of health practices. Data from a sample of 217 participants were used to test the model. Using structural equation modeling, the model relationships were analyzed, and hypotheses were tested. The study results show that perceived threats to electronic health records are triggered by two types of factors: namely, intrinsic stimuli like self-efficacy and performance expectancy; and extrinsic causes such as social enabling effect and social influence. The implications of these findings are particularly useful to both research and practice. Managers and informaticians in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings will find the results both instructive and helpful in mitigating resistance. Theorists will be enriched by the insights from the antecedents of perceived threats to advance research.

The moderating influence of social cognition in the relationship between affect and physical activity in adolescents: An ecological momentary assessment study

BackgroundAffective states influence subsequent engagement in physical activity, but the nature of this relationship varies substantially from person-to-person (e.g., negative affect may precede increased physical activity for some adolescents and decreased for others). PurposeExplore which variables may explain the individual differences in the relationship between incidental affect and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MethodsThis study explores social cognitive variables as moderators of the relationship between incidental affect and MVPA through a 20-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study, in which 100 adolescents aged 13–18 years old (M = 14.45, SD = 1.37) were asked to complete a baseline assessment of their self-efficacy and outcome expectancies. Subsequently, wore an Actigraph (wGT3X-BT) accelerometer 24 h per day on their non-dominant wrist and answered EMA surveys assessing affect 4 times per day using time-based signaling. ResultsWithin-person negative affect predicted MVPA (b = −0.15 p < .05) with 95% CI [-0.29, −0.01], as did between-person negative affect (b = 0.08 p < .05) with 95% CI [0.01, 0.15]. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between within-person negative affect and self-efficacy such that for individuals low in self-efficacy (<2.08 on a 5-point scale) increased negative affect led to decreased MVPA (b = −0.06, p < .05), but not for individuals high in self-efficacy (>5.14 on a 5-point scale; b = 0.07, p < .05). ConclusionsResults indicate that self-efficacy is an important target for overcoming the deleterious effects of momentary negative affect on MVPA and suggests just-in-time intervention techniques for individuals who are typical or low in self-efficacy.

Interdisciplinary pain program participants with high catastrophizing scores improve function utilizing enriched therapeutic encounters and integrative health techniques: a retrospective study.

Pain catastrophizing describes helplessness, rumination, and magnification of a pain experience. High pain catastrophizing is an independent risk factor for disability, pain severity, inadequate treatment response, chronicity, and opioid misuse. Interdisciplinary pain programs (IPPs) are beneficial and cost-effective for individuals with chronic pain, but their functional impact on individuals with high pain catastrophizing is not well established. The emerging field of placebo studies suggests that patient-provider relationships, positive treatment expectations, and sociobiologically informed care trigger physiological responses that may enhance therapeutic interventions. In this retrospective observational cohort study, we compared admission and discharge data for 428 adults with high-impact chronic pain (mean 8.5 years) who completed the Spaulding-Medford Functional Restoration Program (FRP). The interdisciplinary FRP team of physiatrists, behavioral health clinicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists specializes in evidenced-based conventional rehabilitation, integrative health, and pain psychoeducation via enriched therapeutic encounters, fostering collaboration, validation, trust, self-efficacy, and positive expectations. Clinical outcome measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) assessing functional performance (COPM-PS) and satisfaction with function (COPM-SS), the Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). FRP participants with clinically elevated catastrophizing at baseline (PCS ≥30, mean PCS 39) achieved statistically significant improvements in function (mean delta -2.09, CHI2 = 15.56, p < 0.001), satisfaction with function (COPM-SS mean delta -2.50, CHI2 = 7.42, p = 0.007), pain (NRS mean delta 2.7), mood (PHQ-9 mean delta 1.87, p = 0.002), and catastrophizing (PCS mean delta 4.16, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed racial disparities in pain scores, and exploratory analysis showed a trend toward reducing opiate consumption. Despite the known association of adverse outcomes with high catastrophizing, FRP participation was associated with increased productive engagement, reduced pain, reduced maladaptive thought processes, and improved mood. Although causation and efficacy cannot be established from a retrospective design, this is the first study to identify functional improvement in patients with high-impact chronic pain and clinically relevant high pain catastrophizing who participate in an IPP combining conventional and complementary rehabilitation with psychoeducation. These enriched therapeutic encounters may enhance the treatment process by promoting trust, empathy, collaboration, and beneficial reframing of patients' experiences, expectations, and goals.

Self-Efficacy in Nursing Competencies during Students' Clinical Practicum: The Development of a Self-Assessment Scale.

The evaluation of the competencies corresponding to the different professional profiles of future nursing graduates is fundamental to their training. In this regard, students' self-evaluation must be part of their training. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically test the Perceived Self-Efficacy in Nursing Competencies (PSENC) Scale. This study was conducted in two phases: selecting and adjusting items and assessing the instrument's psychometric properties. A sample of 1416 students completed the scale online. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Inferential analysis was carried out. The exploratory factor analysis of the PSENC scale with 20 items resulted in five factors (76.3% of variance). All factors showed Cronbach's alpha coefficients > 0.70. The confirmatory factor analysis measurement model showed satisfactory and adequate goodness-of-fit indices. The developed scale showed the psychometric adequacy and usefulness to the self-assessment of nursing students regarding their self-efficacy expectations in competencies during their clinical practicum. This study was not registered.

The Assessment of Post-secondary Supports: A New Measure of an Understudied SCCT Construct

We investigated environmental supports, an understudied aspect of Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), with rural Appalachian youth, an understudied population. We developed a new measure of proximal influences that bolster the pursuit of postsecondary education, the Assessment of Postsecondary Supports (APSS). Across 3 studies, we develop and validate the new measure, finding strong internal consistency and construct validity. Moreover, scores on the APSS were positively correlated with college-going self-efficacy (CGSE) and college outcome expectations (COE), explaining more unique variance than a measure of perceived educational barriers.

Protective factors for suicidal behaviour in adults self-reported as LGBTQ+: a study based on modulating variables

This study aims to identify factors that modulate resilience in LGBTQ + adults with a history of suicide attempts and reattempts, by hypothesising that positive mental health and various internal and external protective factors will predict suicide resilience in this population. 112 LGBTQ + Spanish individuals (60.7% self-identified as female, 34.8% as male and 4.5% did not identify their gender) aged 18–41 years with a history of self-harm or suicide attempts completed several questionnaires measuring variables such as self-efficacy, emotion regulation, social support, entrapment, anxiety, depression, positive mental health and resilience. In terms of the protective variables most predictive of resilience, social support, positive mental health and emotion regulation were found to be crucial and, to a lesser extent, self-efficacy expectations for coping with stressful or adverse situations. In addition, path analyses revealed distinct profiles of modulated categorical variables in LGTBQ + individuals who had attempted suicide once or who had attempted suicide two or more times. These findings highlight the importance of addressing protective factors, such as social support and positive mental health, in promoting resilience and reducing suicide risk among LGBTQ + individuals.

Depressive symptoms and the processing of unexpected social feedback: Differences in surprise levels, feedback acceptance, and "immunizing" cognition.

Negative social expectations are a key symptom of depression. It has been suggested that individuals with depressive symptoms tend to maintain these expectations by devaluing new experiences that do not fit prior expectations. However, our understanding of the role of such "immunizing" cognition in response to unexpected social feedback in depression, as well as the cognitive mechanisms involved, remains limited. This study investigated the association between depressive symptoms and the cognitive processing of unexpected positive or negative social feedback using a novel, video-based approach featuring naturalistic social stimuli in a subclinical online sample (N = 155). We also examined how surprise levels, feedback acceptance and immunizing cognition relate to other cognitive processes, such as attributional style and rumination, using cross-sectional network analyses. Robust multiple linear regression analyses revealed that depressive symptoms were associated with higher surprise levels (R2adj. = .27), lower feedback acceptance (R2adj. = .19), and higher levels of immunizing cognition (R2adj. = .09) in response to unexpected positive social feedback, but only partially to unexpected negative social feedback. The network analysis suggested that self-efficacy expectations for coping with negative feelings and acceptance of positive social feedback had the strongest expected influence on the different cognitive processes. Our study highlights the challenges that individuals with depressive symptoms face in utilizing positive social feedback to modify negative expectations. For clinicians, our findings suggest the importance of promoting acceptance of positive social feedback, while simultaneously inhibiting immunizing cognition and avoiding the use of overly positive feedback.

Psychological Risk Factors for Delayed Recovery Among Active Duty Service Members Seeking Treatment for Musculoskeletal Complaints at a Navy Shore-Based Military Medical Treatment Facility.

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are a leading cause of separation from the U.S. Navy. Data have shown that several psychological responses to MSI are associated with treatment outcomes. Yellow flags are maladaptive psychological responses to injury and predict delayed recovery, whereas pink flags indicate resilience after MSI and are associated with good treatment outcomes. Identifying these factors in patients with MSI would permit early targeted care to address factors that may delay their readiness for deployment and enhance factors that support recovery. Active duty service members with MSI who reported to physical therapy outpatient services at a naval hospital were recruited for the study. Yellow flags were assessed at baseline as part of a larger study. Participants completed the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (with two subscales, physical activity and work), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Clinically relevant cut-off scores were used to indicate risk factors of delayed recovery. Pink flags were assessed with the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and a measure of positive outcome expectations for recovery. Two hundred and ninety participants responded to some or all of the questionnaires. Of these, 82% exceeded the cut-off scores on the physical activity subscale of the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and 39% did so on the work subscale. Pain catastrophizing exceeded the cut-off in only 4.9% of the sample. Forty-three percent of these exceeded the cut-off for the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; 27% exceeded the cut-off on the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Additionally, 54% endorsed scores greater than 40 on the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and 53% endorsed a high score on the positive outcome expectations. A substantial portion of the sample endorsed elevated scores on one or more indicators of delayed recovery from MSI. Most participants showed a fear of physical activity, and approximately half reported pain-related distress (anxiety and depression). In addition, feelings of self-efficacy and positive outcome expectations of treatment were endorsed by only about half of the participants, indicating that the remaining half did not report adaptive responses to MSI. Early identification of these risk factors will allow for targeted treatment approaches that incorporate these yellow flags into treatment and support a psychologically informed approach to physical therapy. This approach is likely to reduce delayed recovery and improve deployment readiness.

The Effect of Entrepreneurship Courses, Self-Efficacy and Income Expectations on Student Entrepreneurial Interest

The Effect of Entrepreneurship Courses, Self-Efficacy and Income Expectations on Student Entrepreneurial Interest

Effects of experiential learning on intention to become a CPA

ABSTRACT The declining number of individuals taking and passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam worldwide, necessitates investigating the intention to become a CPA. Becoming a CPA is a career choice that student make as an undergraduate accounting major but not all students who make this choice pursue the certification. Prior research investigates experiential learning’s effects on career awareness and choice, yet no research to date has explored its role in student choices to become a CPA. Using a survey of 188 graduate and undergraduate students at two public universities, this research incorporates experiential learning in the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) model. Results show that as accounting students engage in more experiential learning activities, they build self-efficacy to become CPAs. This effect is greater for those with a lower grade point average (GPA). In addition, increased self-efficacy increases positive outcome expectations of becoming a CPA and decreases negative outcome expectations. Theoretical implications include expanding SCCT in an accounting context and finding positive effects of experiential learning on the intention to become a CPA and moderating effects of GPA. Practically, the results highlight institutional support for students engaging in multiple types of experiential learning including student organizations, internships, and community-based projects.

Exploring the Acute Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality Biking on Self-Efficacy and Attention of Individuals in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Feasibility Study.

The role of exercise programs during substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is considered particularly supportive in fostering positive psychological and behavioral changes. The treatment of SUD is a challenging and demanding process. Therefore, it is crucial to discover innovative methods to enhance and facilitate it. Integrating exercise into a virtual environment is an innovative approach for drug rehabilitation, offering multiple benefits to individuals undergoing treatment. The aim of this feasibility study was to explore the acute effects of cycling exercise in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment on attentional control and self-efficacy expectations of individuals undergoing SUD treatment. A total of 20 individuals (mean age of 37.75 years) enrolled in a SUD treatment program participated in the study. They were instructed to complete a single session of cycling with a self-selected duration within the VR system. Following the cycling session, pre-post measures indicated a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy expectations and attentional control measured with the Stroop test. The results revealed that participants expressed high levels of intention for future use, interest/enjoyment, and positive attitudes toward the VR exercise system. Qualitative data indicated that participants found the VR exercise system enjoyable, expressed a strong intention to use it, and did not encounter technical difficulties or negative emotions. In conclusion, it seems that engaging in a brief period of self-selected exercise within a virtual environment can result in temporary activation of cognitive changes, heightened self-efficacy expectations, and a motivating approach to increasing physical activity participation among individuals with SUD, thus suggesting the feasibility of this approach.

Critical consciousness among undocumented immigrant college students: Responding to cultural stress and psychological distress.

Cultural stress is experienced by undocumented students when they encounter discrimination in higher education and society. In response, undocumented students engage in critical consciousness, while simultaneously experiencing psychological distress. A conceptual model is introduced to describe the links between cultural stress, critical consciousness development, and psychological distress. One hundred seventy-one undocumented college students were recruited to participate in this study and completed measures of cultural stress (discrimination). They also completed measures of psychological distress, critical consciousness, and social justice self-efficacy and outcome expectations. The proposed model was tested for global fit and path analysis in structural equation modeling. Indirect effects were probed to assess the mediating role of critical consciousness and psychological distress. The model fit the data excellently. Greater discrimination was associated with higher critical consciousness, which in turn was associated with elevated social justice self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Additionally, higher discrimination was also linked to greater psychological distress. The link between cultural stress and critical consciousness was not explained by psychological distress. This research expands theory by articulating the adaptive ways undocumented students respond to the conditions that cause cultural stress and psychological distress. This aligns with a growing literature documenting the psychology of undocumented immigrants' activism and advocacy. Findings may inform interventions by higher education institutional agents and research to offset cultural stress and psychological distress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring ICT-based learning adoption in higher education: An extended perspective of the technology acceptance model

This article analyses the self-perception of digital technology learning competence among engineering and science students. The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is now considered highly essential in higher education. Today's higher education institutions (HEIs) seldom employ traditional methods of instruction; instead, sophisticated ICT is starting to emerge as a feasible paradigm for fundamental change. To this end, Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) has heavily invested in technology in the education sector and initiated several programs. The ramifications of ICT utilization on the environment, student academic performance, and capabilities remain ambiguous. In delving into how students embrace and utilize ICT systems for learning in HEIs, researchers felt the need to grasp the factors that influence students' acceptance and utilization of ICT skills through the lens of the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This study develops an exclusive conceptual model by incorporating TAM with a set of latent variables identified in the available literature: interest, ICT self-efficacy, economic cost, and performance expectancy. The adapted TAM model developed in this study considers the influence of these variables on students’ ICT acceptance and its impact on academic performance in emerging countries. As part of this study, reports on the development of instruments and validation in the research field were managed using a cross-sectional survey method and SPSS-22 and Smart PLS-4 software. In addition, association rule mining applied in demographic data. A sample of 69 students was randomly selected from three universities representing engineering, medical, and general HEIs in the Sindh province. Though the sample size was small, it showcases that the reliability of the scales is within an acceptable range and can be used to test the main study hypotheses. A conceptual framework model is introduced to offer a comprehensive framework derived from the amalgamation of various acceptance and usage models of technology. The results demonstrate that the survey items are appropriate and suitable for further research.

Exploring the Influence of Sports on Student-Athletes’ Competitive Mindsets during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sports aim to enhance an individual’s formation through organized physical and mental involvement. As sports participation promotes teamwork and dedication, athletes develop sportsmanship, mindfulness, and mental toughness, which brings out their confidence. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused distress and tested the resilience of people, the effects of the situation on student-athlete mindset and competitiveness remain unresolved. With Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory as its foreshadowing theory, this qualitative study focused on the experiences of 10 high school to collegiate student-athletes from a private university in Manila who were asked about their mindsets during the COVID-19 pandemic. After analyzing the data from the transcribed interviews through thematic analysis and the use of the Tracy Coding Matrix, findings revealed the effects of Bandura’s sources of self-efficacy expectations that influenced the student-athletes’ will to win, particularly performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and emotional arousal. The researchers found that sports affect student-athletes’ competitive mindsets by developing their traits, such as self-confidence, motivation, self-assurance, self-reformation, and wellness. Although sports participation also caused feelings of insecurity and pressure among the participants, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, student-athletes were able to adapt, particularly through being supported by their environment. With this, some of the findings suggest that a social circle's presence may ignite student-athletes' drive for victory but may also demotivate them. Finally, the findings of the study may be used to understand student-athlete behavior and strategies such as positive reinforcement and goal-setting may be used to improve their mentalities.

The influence of music performance anxiety on career expectations of early musical career students: self-efficacy as a moderator.

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is recognized as a distinct emotional behavior rather than merely a motor control disorder and is influenced by specific conditioning experiences. This study investigates the interrelationships between MPA, self-efficacy, and future career expectations among music students within the Chinese context. The participants of this study were 340 high school students majoring in music education and performance, drawn from three music schools in China. Data were collected using several questionnaires: the MPA Inventory for Adolescents (MPAI-A), the Self-Efficacy Formative Questionnaire, and the Career Futures Inventory (CFI). The findings indicate that MPA is negatively associated with self-efficacy and future career expectations. Additionally, self-efficacy acts as a partial moderator between MPA and career expectations, suggesting that enhancing the self-efficacy of music students can boost their future career aspirations and mitigate the adverse effects of MPA. This research explores the complex relationships among MPA, self-efficacy, and future career expectations, emphasizing the importance of curriculum and pedagogical strategies in music schools. Music students with high levels of self-efficacy may exhibit more confidence and stable performances before audiences. According to the panel regression analysis, self-efficacy significantly positively influences career expectations. An appropriate educational environment and supportive pedagogical approaches to MPA can foster the early career development of musicians.

#InstaMind: teachers’ beliefs on educational technology to promote seamless technology integration in early education

BackgroundThe digital revolution has deeply affected every aspect of our daily lives, including education, transforming how we learn and teach. In Italy, this transformation has occurred naturally for the alpha generation, born in the era in which technology is an integral part of their education. Conversely, for teachers who are not digital natives, adapting to this technological era is a considerable challenge. This challenge is increasing for Italian teachers working with preschoolers. Indeed, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, such technologies were sparsely utilized within early education. This study aims to explore Italian teachers’ beliefs through internal factors—i.e., self- efficacy, outcome expectations, and interest, toward the integration of educational technology in teaching.MethodsTo this end, the standardized Intrapersonal Technology Integration Scale was selected to measure the Italian teachers’ beliefs. The study includes 180 teachers working with the alpha generation, which encompasses children currently attending pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and primary education.ResultsThe results obtained from the comparison among the three groups of teachers (pre- kindergarten, kindergarten, and primary education) on the internal factors are manifold. Mainly, although all teachers are interested in educational technologies, there is a reluctance and low self-efficacy perception to use them with preschoolers. Specifically, pre-kindergarten teachers perceive themselves as less effective and satisfied using such technologies than kindergarten and primary teachers. Moreover, greater teachers’ age and greater teaching experience predict a lower level of perceived self-efficacy and outcome expectations, highlighting resistance toward technological change. All results and their implications are detailed in this text.DiscussionThis study suggests focusing on perceived self-efficacy, offering customized training to enhance it, exploiting the teachers’ interest, enriching teachers’ knowledge through scientific dissemination seminars, and using an effective method. To conclude, understanding teachers’ beliefs is a challenge to better meet the needs of the digital-native generation and harness the potential of educational technologies in childhood education.

Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of factors affecting the use of e-cigarettes among college students in Guangdong province.

In recent years, e-cigarettes as an emerging tobacco product have been favored by college students. Our study aims to explore the factors affecting the use of e-cigarettes among college students and to put forward feasible suggestions for effectively controlling the use of e-cigarettes among college students. The participating students were from three undergraduate and three specialized colleges in Guangdong Province, surveyed from January to March 2022. The Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method was used to analyze the influence mechanism and path of five antecedents: self-efficacy, social environment, cognition, sales environment, and negative outcome expectation, on the use of e-cigarettes. The fsQCA used in this study is a novel research methodology that combines the strengths of qualitative and quantitative analyses, through which we can determine which conditions are essential to the outcomes that lead to e-cigarette use among college students, and which combinations of conditions are more important than others. The interaction of self-efficacy, social environment, cognition, sales environment, and negative outcome expectation, affected college students' use of e-cigarettes. Through the fsQCA method, it was found that self-efficacy alone constitutes a necessary condition for college students not to use e-cigarettes. There are four possible pathways for college students not to use e-cigarettes, with higher self-efficacy, correct cognition, and a healthy social environment influencing the most important combination of conditions for college students to use e-cigarettes. The use of e-cigarettes by students in Guangdong Province is the result of the synergistic effect of multiple factors. Tobacco control action suggestions focus on improving students' self-efficacy and paying attention to the combination of different factors to achieve more effective tobacco control.