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Character strengths as predictors of general and academic self-efficacy in university students

Authors :
Diego García-Álvarez
Rubia Cobo-Rendón
Karla Lobos
Source :
Frontiers in Psychology, Vol 15 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2024.

Abstract

Positive psychology has introduced the concept of character strengths, which are positive traits fundamental to well-being and mental health. Research on university students has shown that these strengths impact psychoeducational variables and personal functioning, acting as a protective factor in the general and student populations. This study aims to analyze the predictive relationships between character strengths and general self-efficacy and determine their joint contribution in predicting academic self-efficacy. The study was quantitative, correlational-causal, and cross-sectional, using a non-probabilistic sample of 668 Venezuelan university students (68.86% women, average age of 20.52 years). The scales used are Growing Strong to measure character strengths, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale in Specific Academic Situations. All scales showed adequate psychometric properties. The mediation analysis revealed that leadership, hope, and persistence positively influence general and academic self-efficacy. Furthermore, general self-efficacy strongly impacts academic self-efficacy. In conclusion, character strengths are significant predictors of self-efficacy in university students. Promoting these strengths may be crucial to improving general and academic self-efficacy, suggesting the need to implement specific initiatives in higher education.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16641078
Volume :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.ff179faa07d74ddb8022eb8c2e0c5b25
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1490095