Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and coping strategies in stressful situations.

Method: This study was conducted using survey and cross-sectional method. Data were collected from 373 students of seven educational groups of Yazd University, between 22 June and 22 July 2006. The subjects were selected through cluster-randomized sampling method. The instruments for gathering data were Coping Strategies Scale-Revised (CSS-R), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), Undergraduate Students Scale (USS), and Multidimensional Assessment of Stressful Life Events Scale (MASLES). 

Results: The results showed significant difference among students with different levels of perceived self-efficacy, with regard to coping strategies in general (P<0.001), and with regard to components of coping strategies: seeking social support (p<0.01), avoidance coping (P<0.001), emotion-focused coping (p<0.01), active coping (p<0.01), and self-control (p<0.01) in particular. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the perceived self-efficacy variable accounted for 20.3% of the variance in coping strategies.

Conclusion: The results of the current study casts doubt on the premises of social-cognitive theory about the higher use of problem-focused coping by persons with high perceived self-efficacy, and the higher use of emotion-focused coping, such as avoidance coping and self-control by persons with lower perceived self-efficacy.